Hot on the heels of a successful weekend in Super Rugby AUS and the Next Gen Sevens, Queensland rugby also saw success across the Tasman with the Brisbane Hustlers claiming the 2025 Purchas Cup.
The Purchas Cup, the premier gay and inclusive rugby tournament in Oceania, saw six clubs and eight teams compete across two divisions at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland.
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While the Hustlers have claimed the Purchas Cup in previous iterations, Saturday’s victory marked the first time Brisbane walked away with silverware under the new format.
Their victory came in a tense final against former champions Sydney Convicts, with the Hustlers prevailing 7-5 on a wet afternoon in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The result comes at a perfect time for Brisbane, who will set their first ever Bingham Cup - the world's premier inclusive rugby tournament - in 2026.
“We went into that final with a couple of injuries,” Steve Bevan, President of the Brisbane Hustlers said to QNews.
“But not one of the boys, not a single one gave up that whole time.
“I really still don’t even know what to say. It’s been a long, hard slog to get to this point.
“I’ve been part of the club for six years, and in that time I’ve played two Purchas Cups and two Bingham Cups.
“We’ve never beaten the Convicts before today, and we did it twice, and it is pretty surreal.”
While the Convicts relinquished their Cup title, the Sydney side did walk away with silverware, winning the second division Purchas Shield final 14-0 against a dangerous Perth Rams outfit.
The Adelaide University Sharks and hosts New Zealand Falcons finished third in their respective divisions, with both Melbourne Chargers sides finishing the weekend without victory, despite coming close on several occasions.
However, the Victorians would head back across the Tasman with some silverware, with captain Mac Gosewisch named Best & Fairest of the tournament.
The Purchas Cup wraps up 2025 for all clubs, with eyes now turning to the 2026 Bingham Cup in Brisbane.
Purchas Shield:
- Sydney Convicts 2 17-5 Melbourne Chargers 2
- Perth Rams 10-5 Adelaide University Sharks
- Sydney Convicts 2 17-10 Perth Rams
- Melbourne Chargers 2 0-22 Adelaide University Sharks
- Sydney Convicts 2 12-5 Adelaide University Sharks
- Melbourne Chargers 2 0-41 Perth Rams
- Shield Final: Sydney Convicts 2 14-0 Perth Rams
Purchas Cup:
- Melbourne Chargers 1 0-12 Sydney Convicts 1
- New Zealand Falcons 5-20 Brisbane Hustlers
- Brisbane Hustlers 7-0 Sydney Convicts 1
- New Zealand Falcons 7-5 Melbourne Chargers 1
- New Zealand Falcons 14-17 Sydney Convicts 1
- Brisbane Hustlers 13-7 Melbourne Chargers 1
- Cup Final: Brisbane Hustlers 7-5 Sydney Convicts 1
