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 over the weekend, with the Brisbane Hustlers claiming the Purchas Cup at Western Springs Stadium in Auckland.
The Purchas Cup, the premier gay and inclusive rugby tournament in Oceania, saw six clubs and eight teams compete across two divisions.
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While Brisbane have claimed the Purchas Cup in previous iterations of both the team and competition, Saturday’s victory marked the first time in the new format the club has walked away with silverware.
Victory came in a tense final against former champions the Sydney Convicts, with the Hustlers prevailing 7-5 on a wet afternoon in Tāmaki Makaurau.
The result comes at a perfect time for the Sunshine state side, with Brisbane set to host the world inclusive rugby tournament, the Bingham Cup, for the first time in 2026.
The Brisbane Hustlers have won the 2025 Purchas Cup in New Zealand. Source: Blake Armstrong / Armstrong Photography NZ
“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 Victorian side would head back across the Tasman with some silverware, with captain Mac Gosewisch named Best & Fairest of the tournament.
The tournament wraps up the 2025 season for all the clubs, with the Australian gay and inclusive rugby community set to welcome the biggest teams in the world to Brisbane for the Bingham Cup in 2026.
FULL RESULTS:
Purchas Shield:
Sydney Convicts 2 17-5 Melbourne Chargers 2 Perth Rams 10-5 Adelaide University SharksSydney Convicts 2 17-10 Perth RamsMelbourne Chargers 2 0-22 Adelaide University SharksSydney Convicts 2 12-5 Adelaide University SharksMelbourne Chargers 2 0-41 Perth RamsShield Final: Sydney Convicts 2 14-0 Perth Rams
Purchas Cup:
Melbourne Chargers 1 0-12 Sydney Convicts 1New Zealand Falcons 5-20 Brisbane HustlersBrisbane Hustlers 7-0 Sydney Convicts 1New Zealand Falcons 7-5 Melbourne Chargers 1New Zealand Falcons 14-17 Sydney Convicts 1Brisbane Hustlers 13-7 Melbourne Chargers 1Cup Final: Brisbane Hustlers 7-5 Sydney Convicts 1