By Paul Osborne

Top seeds have recorded convincing wins on day three of the Wheelchair Rugby World Championships ©Brian Mouridsen/IWRFIt was another straightforward day for the top seeds in Odense, Denmark today with the United States, Japan, Australia and Canada all securing wins on day three of International Wheelchair Rugby Federation World Championships.

Paralympic champions Australia started the day as they had ended yesterday, defeating Belgium 72-46 with a classy performance inside the Arena Fyn.

The London 2012 gold medallists had a tougher time against hosts Denmark, securing the narrowest of wins to pull themselves top of Pool A.

A spirited challenge from the hosts was not quite enough to take the win as they fell to a 50-56 defeat to the Australians.

"Denmark is a very strong team," Australia's Josh Hose said.

"They played well and really tested us.

"We got to play with all our line-ups, so credit to them."

Australia continued their fine form in Denmark, recording back-to-back victories over Belgium and hosts Denmark ©Brian Mouridsen/IWRFAustralia continued their fine form in Denmark, recording back-to-back victories over Belgium and hosts Denmark ©Brian Mouridsen/IWRF



Defending champions the US carried on their impeccable form with a convincing 65-48 win over European champions Sweden.

The US have looked the team to beat following their success at the 2013 Denmark Wheelchair Rugby Challenge, with no changes in Odense.

They now lead Pool B.

"The whole tournament we have been trying to come out with intensity each game even though some of the games might be bigger margins than others," said team captain Joe Delagrave.

"No matter who we bring out, we are trying to win each quarter, each line.

"It's 0-0 when we come out so that way we can't really let the intensity get lower when we are up by 10 to 15 goals.

"We keep it up the whole way through."

Canada have been going about business as usual at the Odense Congress Center with a comfortable 67-40 victory over Finland the latest success for the London 2012 silver medallist.

Japan continue to shine on the world stage as they recorded another win in Denmark, this time over New Zealand ©Brian Mouridsen/IWRFJapan continue to shine on the world stage as they recorded another win in Denmark, this time over New Zealand ©Brian Mouridsen/IWRF



Japan continued their winning ways with a hard fought 54-45 win over New Zealand as they continue their push to break the three-team stranglehold at the top of the sport.

Debutants France may not be medal contenders, but they created a little piece of history by achieving their first win at a Wheelchair Rugby World Championships, defeating Germany 46-44.

"It's our first time here and our first win," said French team member Pablo Neuman.

"We haven't beaten Germany since 2011 which is a great achievement for us.

"When we get two or three points behind, we have found it difficult to come back but we made it today which is a huge step for us."

Great Britain warmed up for their clash with Canada tomorrow with an easy 54-31 win over Finland.

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