Wheelchair Rugby 'Hits Hard' in exclusive new all access documentary
RugbyPassTV, the world’s home of rugby content online, is shining a light on the world of wheelchair rugby with the release of a new feature length, all access documentary “Hit Hard”.
The film follows the fortunes of Australia, the USA and France in their quest for glory at the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup, held in France at the same time as the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The film shows how tough and competitive the sport of wheelchair rugby is, through the athletes that are all grit, determination and inspiration. The hard hits, the camaraderie, the smack talk, the joy and the agony of elite international sport.
The documentary peels back the sport’s tough exterior to shine a light on the deeper, rawer side of how these athletes came to be rugby’s toughest. Meeting their families, their other halves, finding out the circumstances that led to their situation, before returning back to find out how they found peace in the brutal sport they now excel in.
WATCH HIT HARD ON RUGBYPASS TV HERE
The documentary follows the story of three wheelchair rugby stars in Australia’s Chris Bond, America’s Chuck Aoki and France’s Cédric Nankin. Fans will hear about the players’ incredible stories and how they came to be such influential athletes within the game.
The story ebs and flows through each team narrative as they progress through the International Wheelchair Cup held in France in October 2023.
The film captures perfectly the complexities of how athletes are classified and see the uniqueness of a sport that has both genders playing side by side.
Fans can register to watch RugbyPassTV for free where they can see not only the new Hits Hard documentary but also all the latest action from the HSBC SVNS series, relive every game from past men’s Rugby World Cups and catch up on WXV, World Rugby’s new elite women’s tournament.
All that alongside cutting edge content featuring Jim Hamilton talking to some of rugby’s biggest stars plus The Girls Locker Room presented by Red Roses Maud Muir and Sadia Kabeya tackling the issues that matter both inside and outside the women’s game.
Speaking in the documentary, a key focal point of the film, Chris Bond of Australia states “People with disabilities and in wheelchairs are generally stereotyped as wrap them in cotton wool and you know don’t touch them they are weak. They are lesser then, they are dis-abled. I guess wheelchair rugby challenges that a bit. You can put anyone in that chair, able bodied or not and we’d probably kick their ass!”
Fellow star Chuck Aoki of the USA says “Disability doesn’t have to be something that holds you back it can empower you and it can open doors you never thought you could go into. You can do these things!”
World Rugby Chief Marketing and Content Officer James Rothwell said “Wheelchair Rugby is one of the most compelling sports out there and it is sure to once again capture the imagination of a global fanbase at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
“We’re delighted to be able to bring the players’ incredible stories to RugbyPassTV and give them a platform alongside all the other global superstars of rugby. RugbyPassTV’s unique content is fast making the site a must visit for rugby fans around the world and Hits Hard will only broaden that appeal. With even more original programming set for the platform in 2024 alongside all the fantastic rugby action, we look forward to seeing RugbyPassTV continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
2 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
2 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to comments