Rugby league trends after Wheelchair final as Leeds Rhinos legend humbled & fans rage about officials

Last night England beat France in the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup Final in an all time classic encounter in Manchester.

A late Tom Halliwell try edged it for England as they came away 28-24 winners against the reigning Champions.

After the game Rugby League World Cup was trending on Twitter as the whole sporting world came together to celebrate a huge achievement.

Even the England football team, focused on the beginning of their own World Cup in Qatar, congratulated the team along with Ipswich Town.

Congratulations, @England_RL! 👏#RLWC2021 https://t.co/QdyTuVW1GL

— England Football (@EnglandFootball) November 18, 2022

Congratulations, @England_RL! 💪#itfc https://t.co/g4RBQtHGp3

— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) November 18, 2022

Meanwhile, sporting pundits and presenters more commonly associated with other sports couldn’t help but be impressed by the “immense achievement”:

I wanna say well done to the players for winning the World Cup. Immense achievement. And I want to thank my friend and colleague @MarkWilsonRadio for turning me on to this brilliant sport.
Immense achievement 👏👏👏 https://t.co/JFKNbvj1wi

— Adrian Durham (@TheAdrianDurham) November 18, 2022

The best tweet of the night perhaps came from Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow who said he was honoured to be the role model of match winner Halliwell:

I'm so happy for England wheelchair world cup winners. Tom I am honoured to be a role model for you growing up. I'm not a world cup winner like you mate. Congratulations x https://t.co/HJcJyvW1vW

— Rob Burrow CBE (@Rob7Burrow) November 18, 2022

Meanwhile, Wigan Warriors star John Bateman, no doubt still hurting from his semi-final defeat and with an uncertain future at present, was also blown away by the game:

Unreal!!
Massive congratulations to the @England_RL wheelchair team on becoming World Champions.
You and the team enjoy it @TomHalliwell6 👏🏻 https://t.co/ISS0V0v00Q

— John Bateman (@johnbateman1) November 18, 2022

What a try!!!

Get in there lad @TomHalliwell6 👏🏻

— John Bateman (@johnbateman1) November 18, 2022

However, he wasn’t best pleased with the officials:

What’s this touch judge upto 🤯

— John Bateman (@johnbateman1) November 18, 2022

Likewise, former Super League referee Richard Silverwood wasn’t impressed either:

Deserves better officiating does this final

— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) November 18, 2022

🤣🤣 this French official is unbelievable

— Richard Silverwood (@SilversRef) November 18, 2022

Many weren’t…

The French official arguing against that last try being given… see his reaction when it was awarded? Mad!

— RedVee.Net (@RedVeeDotNet) November 18, 2022

In fact some said it proved the need for neutral referees in a World Cup:

If ever there was an argument to say how important it is to have neutral, impartial referees in international Rugby League it’s the antics of that French official then #RLWC2021

— Michael Lavelle (@mikelavelle93) November 18, 2022

Whilst some even wanted to see him not get close to refereeing a game again:

This French official should never be allowed near an international game again.

— Matt Horton (@MattHortonRadio) November 18, 2022