Toby Popple describes his sport as one of the most brutal imaginable. Photo: Supplied.
Toby Popple thought his rugby league days were over when he lost a leg following complications from a car crash.
Now the Wagga Wagga product is heading to a World Cup in the green and gold.
Popple has been named in Australia’s 10-player Wheelaroos squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which will be played in Wollongong later this year.
The 29-year-old, who runs a courier business in Wagga, grew up in the region after moving from Queanbeyan at age four. A former Canberra Raiders supporter, he now follows the Bulldogs — but his sporting loyalties will be firmly with the green and gold come World Cup time.
Popple played rugby league throughout his childhood, and later became a referee.
“I was in a car crash in 2018 and as a result of complications, I lost my leg,” he said.
He eventually discovered wheelchair rugby league — and quickly found it was anything but a gentle version of the game.
“Wheelchair rugby league is brutal and it’s one of the most physical sports imaginable,” he said.
“The sound of metal on metal at full speed is something you can’t replicate.
“They call wheelchair rugby union ‘murderball’ but league is even tougher.”
For those unfamiliar with the sport, wheelchair rugby league retains many of the familiar rules of rugby league.
There are six tackles, passes must go backwards and players wear tags on their shoulders.
“You have to remove the tag to complete the tackle, but if you hit them hard enough and flip them, you don’t have to take a tag,” Popple said.
The game even retains kicking, despite players being unable to use their legs.
Players use a closed fist to strike the ball, in a motion similar to an AFL handball.
For a field goal, the ball has to be dropped beside the wheelchair before being punched over the crossbar.
“You have to drop the ball next to your chair and then punt it over with a clenched fist to kick a field goal,” Popple said.
“That’s very difficult; I’m not good at that.”
Popple earned his first Australian selection in 2024, representing the Wheelaroos in a Test series against New Zealand.
He has since captained and coached the ACT at the LCA NRL Wheelchair Championship on the Gold Coast, helping the side finish third, before representing NSW in the NRL Wheelchair State Challenge.
Now he will have the chance to represent Australia at a World Cup on home soil.
Wheelaroos head coach Brett Clark said Popple’s experience and commitment had earned him another opportunity on the international stage.
“Toby brings a real competitiveness and commitment to this group and has worked incredibly hard for the opportunity to represent Australia at another World Cup,” Clark said.
“He knows what it takes to perform at this level and we know how much representing Australia, and the people back home who have supported him, means to him.”
For Popple, pulling on the green and gold is about more than just the sport.
“It’s about representing where I’m from, my family, my mates and my teammates,” he said.
“It’s everything wrapped into one and probably the greatest honour you can achieve in our sport.
“To have the privilege of pulling on the green and gold and representing my country at a World Cup is what I’m most excited about.”
