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Wheel Blacks finish eighth in Paralympics wheelchair rugby after loss to Danes

August 28, 2021
Hayden Barton-Cootes in action against the Danes.

The Wheel Blacks have finished eighth at the Paralympic Games after going down to Paralympics wheelchair rugby debutants Denmark, 56-53.

The Kiwis, hunting for their first win of the games, stayed with Denmark in the opening quarter, which finished 13-all.

But the game started swinging into the Danes’ hands in the second quarter. Their Europeans opened up a four-try lead at half time. Before maintaining a lead to seal the three-try victory.

There were questions before the match whether haka leader Hayden Barton-Cootes would be playing. 1 NEWS were told he was unwell this morning and would miss the match, but after getting a doctor’s signoff, Barton-Cootes made it to the match with minutes to spare and was able to lead the Kiwis in their final haka of the games.

Denmark has made a stunning start to their wheelchair rugby debut in the Paralympic Games, beating defending champions Australia in their opening match.

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