In a landmark day for inclusive rugby, the Brisbane Hustlers defeated the Sydney Convicts to take home the Purchas Cup 2025, marking their first-ever victory over their long-time rivals.
The Hustlers triumphed 7–5 in a tense final at Auckland’s Western Springs Stadium, while the Convicts claimed the Purchas Shield with a 14–0 win over the Perth Rams. The NZ Falcons played with grit and determination and proved to be the perfect hosts over two days of epic competition!
Brisbane’s Emotional Win
Steve Bevan, President of the Brisbane Hustlers, was overcome with emotion after the match:
“I’m over the moon but also quite speechless. It’s been a long, hard slog to get to this point. We’ve never beaten the Convicts before today, and we did it twice — it’s pretty surreal.”
Despite injuries going into the final, Bevan praised the resilience of his squad:
“Not one of the boys gave up that whole time. In the last 10 minutes, we held them off down our line, and it all came down to that last 30 seconds.”
The victory carries extra weight, with Brisbane set to host the world inclusive rugby tournament, the Bingham Cup, in 2026.
“I told our guys we were going to win the Purchas Cup and show the teams what they’re up against next year. And we did it. We can’t wait to welcome the world to Brisbane in 2026.”
Convicts Celebrate Shield Success
Although the Convicts fell short in the Cup final, they walked away with the Purchas Shield.
Captain Mully Williamson said:
“I’m incredibly proud of the entire team. Many of our players are in their first season, so to see their growth and then come here and win the Shield is amazing.”
The team’s celebrations carried on well after the final whistle, with social media posts calling it an “incredible and amazing feeling.”
Rams and Chargers Show Spirit
The Perth Rams, runners-up in the Shield, were praised for their heart and determination.
Coach Jeb said:
“The Rams always come with the biggest hearts, the biggest spirit. We fought hard and loved every minute of it, and as a coach, I have nothing but pride, gratitude, and love for these players.”
Meanwhile, the Melbourne Chargers left the tournament without silverware but still celebrated a highlight: Captain Mac Gosewisch was named Best & Fairest Player of the Tournament.
President Chris “Pez” Pezet reflected:
“While we aren’t bringing home silverware, this was a phenomenal weekend of rugby. With a third of our squad being first-year players, we’re proud of their efforts. We now look ahead to Brisbane 2026 with a big recruitment drive on the horizon.”
