2025 Rugby Premier League
| 2025 Rugby Premier League | |
|---|---|
| Countries | India |
| Number of teams | 6 |
| Date | 15 June – 29 June 2025 |
| Champions | Chennai Bulls (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Delhi Redz |
| Matches played | 34 |
| Tries scored | 206 (average 6.1 per match) |
| Top point scorer | Va'a Apelu Maliko |
| Top try scorer | Va'a Apelu Maliko |
| Official website | |
| www | |
The 2025 Rugby Premier League was the first season of the Rugby Premier League.[1] It was held from 15 to 29 June 2025 with 6 city-based teams.[2] Chennai Bulls defeated Delhi Redz 41–0 to win the inaugural title.[3]
History
In April 2025, the six teams were announced: Bengaluru Bravehearts, Chennai Bulls, Delhi Redz, Hyderabad Heroes, Kalinga Black Tigers and Mumbai Dreamers. World Rugby granted RPL a 15-day window, ensuring no other rugby sevens tournaments took place during this period. This allowed participation of some of the biggest names in the sport.[4]
A lineup of 30 marquee international players from rugby powerhouse nations were bought during the auction. The broadcasting and streaming rights were sold to Star Sports and JioHotstar. Renowned coaches Mike Friday, Ben Gollings, DJ Forbes, Tomasi Cama, Francisco Hernández, and Tim Walsh were roped in for the league.[5]
From the domestic circuit, 30 Indian players were selected from an auction pool of 71.[6] Mohit Khatri, captain of the national rugby 7s team went for ₹4.5 lakh.[7] Dream11 chief marketing officer Vikrant Mudaliar revealed that the platform, which has 240 million users, will launch a rugby fantasy sports category to coincide with the RPL.[8]
Format and venue
Format
The teams competed against each other during a 34-match schedule over 15 days.
- Rugby Premier League featured 2 matches per night on weekdays and 3 matches per night on weekends.
- Matches were 4 minutes a quarter + 2 minutes break between each quarter which meant 22 minutes per match.
- A round-robin format saw 30 pool games with each team playing 10 pool matches. There were two semi-finals, a bronze medal match and the finale for a total of 34 matches.
- Teams played a maximum of 10 pool games + 2 playoff matches over 15 days.[9]
Venue
The matches were held at the Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai, Maharashtra.[10]
| Mumbai |
|---|
| Mumbai Football Arena |
| Capacity: 7,000 |
Teams
Squads
Experienced marquee rugby players were picked up at the draft.[11] The bridge and Indian players were bought at the auction.[12]
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | Chennai Bulls | Delhi Redz | Hyderabad Heroes | Kalinga Black Tigers | Mumbai Dreamers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akuila Rokolisoa Iowane Teba Tone Ng Shiu Scott Curry (C) Pol Pla (C) Philip Wokorach Liam Poulton Mak Chung Mohit Khatri Suresh Kumar Karan Rajbhar Prashant Singh Arpan Chhetri |
Terry Kennedy Joseva Talacolo Joaquín Pellandini Filipe Sauturaga Alex Davis (C) Nikias Lohe Haakon Oess Va'a Apelu Maliko Akhil Anand Shanawaz Ahmed Aryan Dixit Muhammed Jasim Vallabh Patil |
Matteo Graziano Patrick Odongo Jordan Conroy Matías Osadczuk (C) Alejandro Laforga Robin Plumpe Michael Coverdale Moritz Noll Rajdeep Saha Deepak Punia Mohit Tushir Sunil Chawan Raj Kumar |
Kevin Wekesa Joji Nasova Terio Tamani Lautaro Bazán Manu Moreno (C) Motu Opetai Max Roddick Wolfram Hacker Prince Khatri Sumit Roy Javed Hussain Sukumar Hembrom Sambit Pradhan |
Rosko Specman Lucas Lacamp Perry Baker Harry McNulty (C) Maurice Longbottom Kyle Tremblay Ethan Turner James Thiel Ajay Deswal Asis Sabar Deepraj Rajabhosale Pardeep Singh Arjun Mahato |
Waisea Nacuqu Henry Hutchison Aaron Cummings Jerry Tuwai James Turner Elias Hancock Rhys James Briar Barron Neeraj Khatri Devendra Padir Akash Balmiki (C) Nayan Kumar Ganesh Majhi |
Points table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hyderabad Heroes | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 36 | Advance to playoffs |
| 2 | Chennai Bulls (C) | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 25 | |
| 3 | Bengaluru Bravehearts | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 21 | |
| 4 | Delhi Redz | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 14 | |
| 5 | Kalinga Black Tigers | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | |
| 6 | Mumbai Dreamers | 10 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 |
First match(es) will be played: 1 June 2025. Source: Rugby Premier League
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
(C) Champion
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers for teams tied on points: 1) Number of matches won; 2) Difference between points for and against; 3) Total number of points for; 4) Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams; 5) Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled.
(C) Champion
League stage
| 15 June 2025 19:45 |
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | 21–21 | Delhi Redz |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 15 June 2025 20:25 |
| Chennai Bulls | 24–5 | Mumbai Dreamers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 15 June 2025 21:05 |
| Hyderabad Heroes | 24–14 | Kalinga Black Tigers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 16 June 2025 19:45 |
| Kalinga Black Tigers | 10–35 | Bengaluru Bravehearts |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 16 June 2025 20:25 |
| Mumbai Dreamers | 17–31 | Chennai Bulls |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 17 June 2025 19:45 |
| Delhi Redz | 7–21 | Chennai Bulls |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 17 June 2025 20:25 |
| Hyderabad Heroes | 43–7 | Bengaluru Bravehearts |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 18 June 2025 19:45 |
| Chennai Bulls | 26–26 | Kalinga Black Tigers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 18 June 2025 20:25 |
| Mumbai Dreamers | 7–20 | Delhi Redz |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 19 June 2025 19:45 |
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | 12–7 | Mumbai Dreamers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 19 June 2025 20:25 |
| Kalinga Black Tigers | 12–43 | Hyderabad Heroes |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 20 June 2025 19:45 |
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | 26–0 | Chennai Bulls |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 20 June 2025 20:25 |
| Kalinga Black Tigers | 7–14 | Delhi Redz |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 20 June 2025 21:05 |
| Mumbai Dreamers | 12–19 | Hyderabad Heroes |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 21 June 2025 19:45 |
| Chennai Bulls | 31–24 | Bengaluru Bravehearts |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 21 June 2025 20:25 |
| Hyderabad Heroes | 24–17 | Mumbai Dreamers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 21 June 2025 21:05 |
| Delhi Redz | 15–19 | Kalinga Black Tigers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 22 June 2025 19:45 |
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | 26–21 | Hyderabad Heroes |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 22 June 2025 20:25 |
| Chennai Bulls | 24–7 | Delhi Redz |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 22 June 2025 21:05 |
| Kalinga Black Tigers | 17–17 | Mumbai Dreamers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 23 June 2025 19:45 |
| Delhi Redz | 22–12 | Bengaluru Bravehearts |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 23 June 2025 20:25 |
| Hyderabad Heroes | 28–7 | Chennai Bulls |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 24 June 2025 19:45 |
| Mumbai Dreamers | 5–33 | Kalinga Black Tigers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 24 June 2025 20:25 |
| Chennai Bulls | 0–17 | Hyderabad Heroes |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 25 June 2025 19:45 |
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | 34–26 | Kalinga Black Tigers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
| 25 June 2025 20:25 |
| Delhi Redz | 19–19 | Mumbai Dreamers |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 26 June 2025 19:45 |
| Kalinga Black Tigers | 21–40 | Chennai Bulls |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 26 June 2025 20:25 |
| Hyderabad Heroes | 40–19 | Delhi Redz |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 27 June 2025 19:45 |
| Delhi Redz | 7–31 | Hyderabad Heroes |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
| 27 June 2025 20:25 |
| Mumbai Dreamers | 26–14 | Bengaluru Bravehearts |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
Playoffs
| Semi-finals | Final | |||||
| 28 June – Mumbai Football Arena | ||||||
| Chennai Bulls | 31 | |||||
| 29 June – Mumbai Football Arena | ||||||
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | 12 | |||||
| Chennai Bulls | 41 | |||||
| 28 June – Mumbai Football Arena | ||||||
| Delhi Redz | 0 | |||||
| Hyderabad Heroes | 7 | |||||
| Delhi Redz | 14 | |||||
| Third place playoff | ||||||
| 29 June – Mumbai Football Arena | ||||||
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | 17 | |||||
| Hyderabad Heroes | 12 | |||||
Semi-finals
| 28 June 2025 19:30 |
| Chennai Bulls | 31–12 | Bengaluru Bravehearts |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Craig Chan |
| 28 June 2025 20:00 |
| Hyderabad Heroes | 7–14 | Delhi Redz |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Ibuki Tetsuka |
Third place playoff
| 29 June 2025 19:30 |
| Bengaluru Bravehearts | 12–17 | Hyderabad Heroes |
| Report |
| Mumbai Football Arena, Mumbai Referee: Tetsuya Hirakawa |
Final
Statistics
Most points
| Player | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Va'a Apelu Maliko | Chennai Bulls | 75 |
| Akuila Rokolisoa | Bengaluru Bravehearts | 69 |
| Terio Tamani | Hyderabad Heroes | 66 |
| Philip Wokorach | Bengaluru Bravehearts | 64 |
| Joji Nasova | Hyderabad Heroes | 52 |
Most tries
| Player | Team | Tries |
|---|---|---|
| Va'a Apelu Maliko | Chennai Bulls | 15 |
| Philip Wokorach | Bengaluru Bravehearts | 12 |
| Joji Nasova | Hyderabad Heroes | 10 |
| Javed Hussain | Hyderabad Heroes | 8 |
| Terry Kennedy | Chennai Bulls | 8 |
Most conversions
| Player | Team | Conversions |
|---|---|---|
| Terio Tamani | Hyderabad Heroes | 18 |
| Akuila Rokolisoa | Bengaluru Bravehearts | 17 |
| Maurice Longbottom | Kalinga Black Tigers | 14 |
| Filipe Sauturaga | Chennai Bulls | 11 |
| Joaquín Pellandini | Chennai Bulls | 10 |
Most tackles
| Player | Team | Tackles |
|---|---|---|
| Max Roddick | Hyderabad Heroes | 31 |
| Manu Moreno | Hyderabad Heroes | 30 |
| Joseva Talacolo | Chennai Bulls | 28 |
| Michael Coverdale | Delhi Redz | 27 |
| Filipe Sauturaga | Chennai Bulls | 27 |
Awards
| Category | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Player of the Tournament | Va'a Apelu Maliko | Chennai Bulls |
| Emerging Player of the Seasom | Philip Wokorach | Bengaluru Bravehearts |
| Indian Player of the Season | Javed Hussain | Hyderabad Heroes |
Broadcasting
India
Online
References
- ^ "Rugby Premier League set to start next year". Hindustan Times.
- ^ "Rugby Premier League Set to Start Next Year, Rahul Bose Calls It 'Game-Changer' For India". News18. Retrieved 23 December 2024.
- ^ News, India TV; Desk, India TV News (29 June 2025). "Chennai Bulls script history, clinch maiden Rugby Premier League title defeating Delhi Redz | Other News – India TV". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Rugby Premier League Set To Revolutionise Rugby 7s In India | Sports News". News18. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Franchise-based Rugby Premier League launched in Mumbai, set to take place in June 2025 - CNBC TV18". CNBCTV18. 4 April 2025. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "Six years, one dream: Rahul Bose kickstarts India's own Rugby Premier League". English.Mathrubhumi. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ IANS (5 April 2025). "Rugby Premier League to start on June 1 with six teams, 30 foreign players". The Statesman. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
- ^ "Rugby Premier League to debut with six teams - The Economic Times". m.economictimes.com. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ rugbyasia247 (5 April 2025). "Indian Rugby Premier League - Will The New Professional 7s Francise Tournament Match The Hype?". RugbyAsia247. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Sportstar, Team (4 April 2025). "Rugby 7s franchise-based league set to launch in Mumbai in June". sportstar.thehindu.com. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
- ^ "From Olympics gold medallists to World Cup winners: Meet the teams, best players, coaches in Rugby Premier League". ESPN. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 15 June 2025.
- ^ "Mohit Khatri Becomes India's Most Expensive Rugby Player After Rugby Premier League Season 1 Auctions | Sports News". News18. Retrieved 5 April 2025.