Wheelchair Rugby is a sport that is also known as “Murderball” – for good reason. The sport is a brutal combination of rugby union, wheelchair basketball, ice hockey and handball. After a four year retirement, Harden’s Peter Allen is off to Melbourne this week to take on the nation’s and the world’s best in the Fierce Four Challenge.

The tournament consists of six teams in total, one from Queensland, one from NSW, one from Western Australia and two from Victoria. It also features a visiting Canada side. “The Canadians will go really well,” said Peter. “Australia is no.1 in the world, but it’s usually between us, Canada and the US.” Peter will be playing for the Victoria Lightning side, as one of four New South Welshmen playing for the team.

Peter would normally be playing for the NSW Gladiators, but he sees this as a positive. “It gets as many NSW players as possible on the court before the Nationals in August,” said Peter. Coaxed out of retirement after four years, his experience in the sport has been called upon to guide the new talent coming into the sport. “I’ll be there to teach the young fellas something,” said Peter. “It’s good to get back and play with the boys.” Peter’s playing career prior to retirement included 5 years playing for the Australian Wheelchair Rugby side, the Australian Steelers. The Fierce Four tournament takes place from Friday June 19 to Sunday June 21. “It will be pretty intense, but I’m looking forward to it,” he said.