Player prepares for World Cup after career reshaped by injury

The Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup is taking place concurrently with the men's, women's, and wheelchair tournaments. Only Australia, England, and New Zealand will participate, with all matches occurring in Sydney. Australia will face England in the opening game tonight at Cabramatta Rugby League Club.

Bryce Crane, a Physical Disability Rugby League (PDRL) star fullback, was paralyzed from the chest down after a tackle in 2020 at the age of 18 while playing for the Narellan Jets in south-west Sydney. Despite his injury, Crane is preparing for Australia's home World Cup, which runs from October 30 to November 8. He previously competed in the inaugural PDRL World Cup in 2022, where Australia did not win a game but Crane was named in the Rugby League World Cup Dream Team alongside players from other tournaments.

Crane's teammate Luke Vella, an NRL assistant coach, commends Crane's humility and encouraging nature, stating that Crane often puts others before himself and supports his teammates. Vella himself has also faced a career-ending injury but has since returned to coaching and playing. He expressed his excitement about potentially playing on the Sydney Football Stadium's field again, a venue he previously tore an ACL on while playing for the Bulldogs' under-20 side in 2014.