JACK Brown can be forgiven for going around telling people, ‘See, that’s what I was on about,’ after the wheelchair rugby league stars made a huge impact.
The thunder of metal on metal, the skill and the physicality in front of a world record 3,033 crowd at London’s Copper Box announced wheelchair rugby league to the country.
After Thursday’s openers, the reaction of the British public can be summed up in one word – wow.
But Brown, who scored two tries as England beat the Australians he coaches for Queensland 38-8, has been banging the drum for 17 years.
One of two able-bodied players allowed in a wheelchair team, he said: “The sport itself is the star. It’s finally getting the recognition it deserves.