Emus World Cup Preview: Men's 35s

In 1988, the first ever Touch World Cup was held across four divisions: Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Mixed Open, and Men’s 35s. On that occasion, Australia became the first-ever Masters World Champions, defeating New Zealand in the final. 36 years on from that historic day, eight nations will do battle.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Men’s 35s division.

 

Participating Teams

Pool A

• Australia
• England
• Fiji
• New Zealand
• Papua New Guinea
• South Africa
• United States
• Wales

 

The Numbers That Matter

6 – Six players from the victorious Men’s 30s side who won Gold in 2019 will be returning to the international stage for the Men’s 35s outfit. With limited playing time together, their prior experience and team chemistry will be critical in the early phases of this tournament.

32 – In 1991, Australia defeated the Cook Islands 32 tries to nil in what still serves as the biggest winning margin in World Cup history. Thankfully, the Cook Islands and international touch has come a long way since that day and it’ll take a monumental effort by any side to come close to reaching that try total, let alone keeping a shut-out.

38 – With 38 tries in 36 caps, Matthew Tope is the team’s top try scorer heading into Nottingham and will back his chances of getting closer to the coveted 50 international try mark. Last playing for Australia in 2015, the Wollongong representative will be competing in the Masters’ division at a World Cup for the first time in his career, bringing an unmatched level of experience to the team.

 

Athelite Australian Emus to Watch

Dave Maher – Recently named captain, Dave Maher has been involved in Touch Footy since he was 16. The Gold Coast representative is sturdy on defence, and crafty on attack, with his timing and positioning a class above. With extensive coaching experience as well, the South Queensland Shark will be a source of inspiration for the Men’s 35s outfit, as he’ll look to provide his teammates a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. In 2019, he earned the Coach’s Award for his performances in the Men’s 30s team in Malaysia. Five years on, look to him to produce more of the same for his nation.

Khanui Cox – An exciting player of the game, Khanui has that element of flair to his game which makes him a standout star of this team. His ability to produce a moment of brilliance when the time is right will ensure that the Australians have an extra attacking edge heading towards the crucial moments of this tournament. The Queenslander also has plenty of representative experience under his belt, having been previously named Player of the Series at the State of Origin level (Men’s 35s). In 2019, he scored 23 tries while representing the Men’s 30s side. Returning for his second World Cup, look to Khanui to once again set the field alight through his individual genius with the ball in hand.

 

Toughest Match-Ups

New Zealand – As always, expect our Trans-Tasman rivals to be in the thick of things come the latter stages of this year’s World Cup. In 2019, they came agonisingly short of Gold as they lost to Australia six tries to five. It’s a new look outfit in 2024, and with the Kiwis not taking a Men’s 30s side to Malaysia, there’s an element of unpredictability surrounding our neighbours and how they will shape up.

South Africa – In 2019, South Africa shocked the world when they reached the Men’s 30s Grand Final, defeating England in the semi-final. Despite falling short to Australia in the final, they gained plenty of plaudits for their heart and effort. Five years later – more than half of that squad will be travelling to Nottingham to compete in the Men’s 35s division. Of that side includes star player Adnaan Oesman, who has risen through the ranks of South African Touch Football, previously representing his nation in Youth and Opens competition. In Malaysia, he crossed the line  20 times and will be hoping to achieve more of the same this time around.

England – Looking to Europe and the host nation is expected to be one of the toughest match-ups in the division. Despite not being able to play in their own division, the Men’s 35s side gained valuable experience competing at the European Championships in the Men’s 30s. Ineligible for the knockout phases, they finished the round-robin stage in third, with their only losses coming to France and the England Men’s 30s team. With their toughest matches arguably coming later in the tournament, the momentum the host nation can gain in the initial rounds of the tournament will be crucial to their overall performance.

 

Athelite Australian Emus Fixtures*

Day 2 Fixtures: July 16

• 9:50am VS Wales
• 12:30pm VS United States

Day 3 Fixtures: July 17

• 12:30pm VS South Africa
• 3:40pm VS Papua New Guinea

Day 4 Fixtures: July 18

• 9:50am VS New Zealand
• 1:10pm VS Fiji

Day 5 Fixtures: July 19

• 6:30pm VS England

Day 6 Fixtures: July 20

• 5:00pm Playoffs
• 5:00pm Semi Final

Day 7 Fixtures: July 21

• 10:00am Bronze Medal
• 11:00am Gold Medal

*Draft draw, subject to change. All times are shown in local England time zones. Follow Touch Football Australia (TFA) on social media for all up-to-date schedule information.

To see the Men’s 35s draw in its entirety, CLICK HERE

 

Last Word: In 2019, the Gold Medal returned to Australia after New Zealand took the honours in 2015. An epic match defined by individual moments; who will step up when the time is right in 2024?

The 2024 FIT Touch World Cup begins July 15 in Nottingham, England. Follow TFA’s socials on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for all updates before and throughout the World Cup.

All Stats Courtesy of the Touch Almanac by Cary Thompson