Japan, Australia favoured at IWRF Asia-Oceania event

The tournament gives these nations the opportunity to qualify for the 2014 IWRF World Championships.

The 2013 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby Asia-Oceania Championships will be played at the LC de Villiers Stadium at the University of Pretoria in South Africa from 20-23 November.

This year marks the seventh edition of the tournament and features four national teams including, the host nation South Africa, world No. 2 Australia, world No. 5 Japan and New Zealand. The tournament gives these nations the opportunity to qualify for the 2014 IWRF World Championships.

The Championships will be streamed live on the IWRF's website.

Australia

Australia have won all but one of the six Asia-Oceania Championships that have been played from 2001 to 2011. The No. 2-ranked team in the world will be looking to make it their sixth title and try to get back to No. 1 in 2014.

Australia will begin the tournament against the host nation in the opening game.

Championship medals: Gold (2001, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2011) Silver (2005)

Paralympic medals: Gold (2012); Silver (2008, 2000)

Head coach: Brad Dubberley

Team: Nazim Erdem, Ben Fawcett, Michael Ozanne, Jason Lees, Jason Ellery, Cameron Carr, Curtis Palmer, Jayden Warn, Chris Bond, Ryley Batt.

Japan

Japan enter the tournament ranked just behind Australia in the world standings and will be out to prove they are capable of mixing it with one of the best teams in wheelchair rugby. Japan went down to Australia 59-41 in the final in 2011 and will be chasing their first Asia-Oceania Championship title this year.

Japan begins their campaign against New Zealand on day one of the tournament.

Championship medals: Silver (2011); Bronze (2001, 2003, 2005, 2009)

Paralympic medals: None

Head coach: Adam Frost

Team: Tadanori Kawashita, Kotaro Kishi, Hidefumi Wakayama, Takahisa Yamaguchi, Tomoaki Imai, Takeshi Shoji, Masayuki Haga, Shin Nakazato, Yu Nakazato, Yu Nagaysu, Shinichi Shimikawa, Daisuke Ikezaki, Yukinobu Ike.

New Zealand

New Zealand are the only nation other than Australia to win the Asia-Oceania title when they were crowned champions in 2005. In 2011, New Zealand defeated South Korea 62-44 for the bronze medal but will need to improve on that result if they are to gain qualification for the World Championships next year.

New Zealand face Japan in their opening game on 20 November.

Championship medals: Gold (2005); Silver (2001, 2003, 2009); Bronze (2007, 2011)

Paralympic medals: Gold (2004); Bronze (1996, 2000)

Head coach: Peter Martin

Team: Gavin Rolton, Adam Wakeford, Phil Spring, Rob Hewitt, Sholto Taylor, Maia Amai, Cameron Leslie, Dan Buckingham.

South Africa

South Africa will be looking to be amongst the medals for the first time at the 2013 Asia-Oceania Championships with their previous best being fourth place in 2001 and 2005. Currently ranked 25th in the world, the host nation has the chance to upset their rivals and qualify for the 2014 IWRF World Championship.

The hosts begin with their biggest challenge when they take on Australia in the opening game of the tournament on 20 November.

Championship medals: None

Paralympic medals: None

Head coach: Cobus Van Zyl

Team: Bennie Dorfling, Bennie Erasmus, Troye Collins, Victor Buitendag, Katherine Swanepoel, Yolande Oosthuysen, Clyde Holland, Enrico Avenant, Johnny Sutil, Jared McIntyre, Koos Jacobs, Okker Anker