Tough preparation takes its toll as Aussies come up short in bronze medal play-off against world champs

THE travel restrictions that killed the chances of Australia’s team winning more medals at the Olympics has cost one of our signature sides a medal in wheelchair rugby at the Tokyo Paralympics.

One of Australia’s most reliable medal winners the Steelers, lost to the host-nation Japan in the bronze medal playoff.

It is the first time since Athens in 2004 that the Aussies - who won back to back gold medals in London and Rio after a silver in Beijing - have not finished on the podium, but no one should be surprised after what they went through getting to Tokyo.

“We knew we were up for some challenges because we haven’t been together as a team for so long and it’s really hurt our preparation,” Steelers captain Ryley Batt said.

“I know everyone’s been affected, I’m not sure how affected, but we’ve been really affected back home in Australia.

“But look, we’ve had a really good run, we won two gold medals and we won a silver …. and you can’t be at the top forever.”

Unable to train together for 18 months because of all the state border lockdowns and overseas travel restrictions, the Steelers’ bid for a first ever three-peat in the roughest sport at the Paralympics ended when they were beaten by the United States in Saturday’s semis.

Then their faint hope of salvaging the bronze was shattered when they were soundly beaten 60-52 by the world champion Japanese team, leaving head coach Brad Dubberley to rue what might have been.

“It’s hard to take right now. It’s very raw,” he said.

“We’ve obviously had such success for a long period of time and we know that we’re a much better team than the results we had here but we’ve just had to deal with absolute chaos and barrier after barrier after barrier for so long.

“I’m super proud of the team for everything we’ve got over.”