It was a tough test for GB’s rookies and veterans alike at the Four Nations Super Series last week, where many of the World’s best players suited up and went into battle at the Olympic Park Sports Centre in Sydney.

GB’s brief was simple. We had come to develop our most talented new players in games of the highest standard. Opportunities to do this are few and far between but here in Australia, we had eight great chances to do just that. After chair checks and a couple of days of training, tip-off beckoned… Day one was a struggle and we suffered two heavy defeats at the hands of Australia and Canada. However, through the disorganization we saw flashes of individual skill, (new 3.5 “Aaron Phipps” raising a few eyebrows among the other teams) as well as promising chemistry in some very green line-ups.

The second day began with some bad news as one of our most experienced players was called home to be with his family, (Alan, our thoughts are with you) but this only seemed to bring us closer and focus our minds on the team’s objectives for the Tour.

New Zealand caught us out early on, but positive attitudes from everyone who took the court saw drastic improvements on the first day’s performance. Our clash with Australia that afternoon was much the same and although we registered another two losses, the experience that our newer squad members were gaining was invaluable.

The final day of pool play saw our best performance yet as we surprised the Canadians with a very intense first half display. Our line-ups were really beginning to play well together and we narrowed the gap considerably with Canada. Frustratingly, we let New Zealand dictate to us early and then had to chase the game which took a bit of the sheen off of our earlier performance. But the learning continued as we battled for every point.

Finishing fourth in pool play set up a semifinal with the undefeated Aussies and ultra dominant “Ryley Batt”. GB put out an experienced starting line and shocked the Green and Golds, tying up their star man and forcing a couple of turnovers to finish the first quarter ahead. Unfortunately the Australians managed to re-assert their dominance and had taken the lead by the half. GB couldn’t recover, but we had given the favourites a scare and the whole squad was buoyed by their performance. The other semifinal went according to seeding as Canada defeated the Kiwis.

The team had made great strides in the first four days and the 3rd/4th playoff would be our last chance to show how far we had come. The coach stuck to his rotation policy, giving three of his new 2.5 players substantial minutes in the biggest game of their careers. “Steve Brown” featured for the entire last quarter on his maiden GB Tour, while “Dave Anthony” featured throughout the third. Finally “Mandip Sehmi” really took strides on the World stage, playing every minute of what you are about to find out, was a pretty eventful game!

Once again, the start line did their job, taking the initiative and propelling GB to a two-goal lead and the ball at half. The Kiwi’s fought back using all their experience, even taking the lead in the last quarter, but GB held on, dramatically forcing overtime with the last play of the game.

After commanding much of the first overtime period, GB were cruelly denied their first win with a controversial decision at the goal line. The Kiwi’s won the tip-off in the second period of overtime and both sides went goal for goal. This time New Zealand had the opportunity to score last and converted with just two seconds left on the clock. GB had no time to reply and the final score was 53-52 in favour of the Kiwi’s.

In the final Australia were victorious over Canada in a close game that only stretched in the last four minutes of play. It was a very successful tournament for the hosts who completed a clean sweep. Congratulations to “Jonathan Coggan” and “Bulbul Hussain” who scooped best 0.5 and 1.0 respectively in the All-Tournament Awards. Also thanks to the Australian Paralympic Committee for hosting such a fantastic event. You can find some excellent pictures at the link below…

http://www.aapimage.com.au/Search.aspx?search=WHEELCHAIR%20RUGBY%20FOUR%20NATIONS&%28IMPORTDATE%3E20100430%29&gallery=WHEELCHAIR%20RUGBY%20FOUR%20NATIONS

…I don’t think I’ve ever been on a Tour and not won a single game. So how do I “spin” 0 and 8 to you, the reader? Well, if you look back through this piece you’ll find one word comes up quite often: “Performance”. Right now, that’s what it’s all about for GB. Did it hurt to lose in double overtime to New Zealand? Of course it did. I’m a professional athlete; Winning is my drug! But I only need to win seven games this year and those games are in Vancouver this September!