NZ disabled rugby team players to now get classified in southern hemisphere

Getting classifications for players from New Zealand's physically disabled rugby team will no longer rely on sending medical forms to the Northern Hemisphere.

That is because Physical Disability Rugby League New Zealand have chosen to form an Australasian classification group, says PDRL New Zealand founder Sandra Hickey.

It follows problems with administrative delays as until now, the league had to send medical diagnostic forms to The International Rugby League office based in England.

“We will form an Australasian classification group for our upcoming test match as we are having so much trouble with England," says Hickey.

The test match, against Australia, in Fiji, is the first international outing for the NZ team in two years since becoming runners up in the first PDRL World cup held in Warrington, England.

"Both Jennifer (Willis) and Hamish will be our two classifiers for our international test against Australia”.

This makes it easier for team management to deal with required documentation.

Jennifer Wills, of Physio Rehab group, who has been the team's physio and classifier for the past six years says a range of mild to severe types of physical disability must be evenly spread during matches to ensure a level playing field.