he New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby League training in West Auckland. Photo: Jonty Dine
Dan Scott knows tragically all too well just how drastically life can change in an instant.
In June of last year, he was an active sportsman managing a gym in Brisbane.
However, a fateful slip one morning, and suddenly he lost the use of his legs.
"I landed on the corner of an A/C unit and exploded my spinal cord at T10. It was pretty life changing, at the age of 36 to one day be running around, going to the gym, training legs, to waking up in hospital, and not being able to move my big toe."
Though resigned to a wheelchair, Scott found a new purpose through disability sports.
"I've stayed active, I haven't stopped and I've thrown myself into sport. I didn't really have any downtime as I've got a wife and two children, so no chance to wallow in self pity."
Now Scott will get the chance to represent his country in the inaugural Wheelchair Rugby League trans-Tasman Series kicking off Friday morning.
He said the sport saved him after his accident.
"It just teaches you to appreciate a little bit more than what you would have prior. My life would be completely different. To chuck on the the Wheel Kiwis training shirt, it's awesome. It looks great, it feels great and it means something to every single one of us wearing it."
New Zealand will take on a heavily-favoured Australian side in two tests in Auckland.
Scott said it was a stern test awaiting them.
"They're a top tier team, it's going to be a massive learning curve. I know a lot of the boys, so played with them. I know that they're good. So, we'll bring a bit of punishment to 'em and see how we hold our own."
Kiwis Wheelchair Rugby League coach Edie George addresses his troops. Photo: Jonty Dine
New Zealand has recruited heavily from the Australian Wheelchair Rugby League competition, including NSW coach Edie George.
He said it was a watershed moment for the sport.
"The significance is hard to put words. It's about setting a legacy. This is the start of something big for wheelchair rugby league in New Zealand. I don't think the guys had realised the extent of that. These guys are the inaugural team so this is massive for the sport."
George said win or lose, the series was about much more than the result.
"I'm not concerned about the result, I'm concerned about what it can do for the sport. Again, throwing the word legacy around, that's what we're trying to achieve. We're trying to set up for future players."
A highly physical sport, George stressed to new audiences that these are elite athletes.
"There's going to be a lot of flipping chairs, but it's part of the sport. Don't feel sorry for them, because it's what they sign up for, and they love it."
Fresh off the first ever domestic Australian competition, Charles Joyce said it would be an emotional debut for his country.
Joyce played for the victorious Cowboys team, where he played against his new Kiwi teammates.
An amputee below the knee due to complications with diabetes, Joyce credited wheelchair rugby league for saving his life.
"I can't play full contact. So here I am, sitting in a chair with all these bunch of good people behind me, and we're just going to give it all we can for everyone."
Team manager Korral Heremaia said the series was about helping attract eyeballs to the sport.
"It is inspiring to see people in wheelchairs being able to still get out there and play sports so the plan for this campaign is to grow the sport for New Zealand because ideally where we want to go internationally to get to the World Cup 2026."
She reiterated that the result was secondary.
"It is more developing and learning. The result would be great if we won, but that is not why we are really here. We're here to grow the sport."
Scott said the way he felt playing wheelchair sports was like nothing he had ever experienced.
"Being around the sport and the community, there's no judgement, and it's just so uplifting and empowering to be a part of it."
He said that new spectators to the sport would be amazed.
"Expect to smell a bit of rubber and a bit of metal. The sound is incredible. There's nothing like hearing a couple of chairs go 'smack' together and you might see some heated moments, but it's all in love and friendship."
Wheel Kiwis vs Wheelaroos
Game One
10.30am Friday 1 November
Game Two
12.30pm Monday 4 November
Eventfinda Stadium, Auckland.
Entry is free.
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