How comedy star and television host Adam Hills lived out his ‘boyhood dream’ by playing for Australia at the Rugby League World Cup
Aussie TV host and comedy star Adam Hills has praised organisers for allowing him to live out his ‘boyhood dream’ in the first ever Physical Disability Rugby League [PDRL] World Cup in England.
There has been plenty of attention on the men’s World Cup, but the PDRL is a new category that also includes wheelchair rugby league.
England’s PDRL side defeated New Zealand for the title at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium after wins against other competing nations including Australia and Wales.
The final was played after the men’s Samoa versus France match and plenty of spectators stayed at the ground to watch the inaugural final, which England won after a gruelling four games in eight days.
Hills, 52, is better known for his roles as a comedian, radio and television presenter on shows including Spicks and Specks and The Last Leg.
The Logie award winner – who was born without a right foot – got to make his international rugby league debut for Australia in the tournament and praised organisers and supporters for making it a success.
‘It’s just a huge day for disability rugby league,’ he said.
Adam Hills of Australia runs with the ball during Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup 3rd/4th play off match between Wales and Australia
‘I’m not surprised that we’ve had a PDRL World Cup, I’m surprised at how well attended, how well covered, how well broadcasted it is.
‘I didn’t expect it to be this big. I never thought I would represent Australia, never thought I would pull on the green and gold.
‘It’s given me a chance to fulfill a boyhood dream and it’s given what, however many, 40, 60 contestants, 80 I think rugby league players the chance to represent their country.
‘So it’s been massive.’
At the launch of the tournament Hills praised English Super League side Warrington Wolves for championing the PDRL World Cup and called for the momentum to continue at the next World Cup in France in 2025.
He said: ‘Warrington have been amazing, the Warrington Wolves were the first foundation to set up a Physical Disability Rugby League team in the UK, but more importantly than that they were the first team to WANT to set up a PDRL team in the UK.
‘For me this is the perfect town to have started this journey, and to have the first men’s PDRL World Cup.
‘This will all mean nothing [however] if we don’t have another in three years’ time at the France World Cup. This will be amazing, this will be great, but we’ve got to follow it up, we’ve got to make sure we do it bigger and better.
![The Australian Physical Disability Rugby League [PDRL] World Cup squad assemble in Sydney ahead of the tournament which was played in England](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2022/10/31/04/64017107-11372279-image-a-57_1667190179015.jpg)
The Australian Physical Disability Rugby League [PDRL] World Cup squad assemble in Sydney ahead of the tournament which was played in England
George Tonna is the Australian coach and founder of the PDRL in Australia and he said sharing stories with the other athletes had been a highlight of the tournament.
‘It’s a sport for everyone and an honour and privilege to be here… I play against all these guys knowing they have the same story as me,’ he said.
England’s head coach and former England Rugby League player Shaun Briscoe said: ‘You can create a great spectacle, regardless of what disability you have got. It’s about ability not disability.’