CAMPERDOWN athlete Josh Hose will use a Hamilton wheelchair rugby tournament to fine-tune for an international competition.
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The 2012 Paralympic gold medallist earned a spot on Australia’s team for the Canada Cup in June.
Hose will play for Victorian Cannons at the Wheelchair Rugby Hamilton Classic today and tomorrow as he ramps up his preparation for his next representative tournament.
Australia, Japan, Denmark, Sweden, Great Britain, New Zealand, Switzerland and the host nation will contest the Canada Cup.
“I made the squad so I was stoked about that and hopefully my performances go well there and I make the world championships team in August,” Hose said.
“It is generally the top eight but the US isn’t going and they are ranked number one.
“Australia will be ranked number one if the US aren’t there.”
Hose said it would be remiss of him to expect past performances, such as the London Paralympics’ success, to help him remain in the Australian team. “My fitness is really well and this season my training has been good and I am keen to get into tournaments to see how it goes,” he said.
“You have new guys coming through who are really talented and keep you on your toes.
“It keeps you training hard.”
Hose said about eight of his Paralympic teammates would compete in Hamilton.
The Melbourne-based player said his team would play four preliminary games and was quietly confident of making the finals.
“I am looking forward to it because they have guys from interstate so that makes it a better quality and higher intensity,” Hose said.
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au