Hyderabad Heroes Clinch HSBC Rugby Premier League Season 2 Title with Dominant Win
Hyderabad Heroes Triumph in Final Match
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], June 29: In a remarkable display of skill, the Hyderabad Heroes secured the HSBC Rugby Premier League Season 2 championship by defeating the Mumbai Dreamers with a score of 41-17.
Although the Dreamers started strong and controlled the ball early on, they struggled to convert their possession into points. The Heroes' well-organized defense forced critical turnovers, as highlighted in a press release.
Hyderabad took advantage of these opportunities with quick counter-attacks, notably when Francisco Cosculluela intercepted the ball, setting up Taitaifono Tavita, followed by Manuel Moreno winning possession to assist Shivam Shukla in scoring.
Maurice Longbottom then contributed a drop goal, allowing Hyderabad to dominate as they headed into halftime.
After the break, the Heroes maintained their aggressive pace, with Tavita again creating an opening on the left for Diego Ardao to score. The Dreamers eventually broke through with faster ball movement that allowed Ethan McFarland to score, but Hyderabad continued to capitalize on turnovers, with Ardao netting his second try and Kevin Wekesa finishing a well-executed play on the wing.
Terio Tamani further extended the lead early in the final quarter, while James Turner managed to score for the Dreamers and later assisted Sukumar Hembrom. Nevertheless, Hyderabad's sharp finishing and strong defense ensured they secured a decisive victory.
In other news, the Bengaluru Bravehearts claimed third place after edging out the Chennai Bulls 22-19 in a thrilling playoff match.
Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, expressed his satisfaction, stating: "The HSBC RPL 2026 Powered by Avid has surpassed last year's league in every aspect: larger audiences, more world-class athletes, the introduction of an RPL Women’s league, enhanced fan engagement both online and offline, increased sponsorship, and we anticipate significantly higher viewership on broadcasts. We are grateful to every Indian who has embraced this exhilarating sport."
Sujoy Ganguly, Chief Marketing Officer of GMR Sports, remarked: "The successful conclusion of the second season of the HSBC Rugby Premier League powered by Avid marks a significant milestone in our long-term vision to cultivate new sporting ecosystems in India. We believe that world-class leagues can transform the sports landscape by inspiring young talent, bolstering grassroots development, and creating aspirational platforms for athletes. The enthusiastic response from fans this season, along with the successful launch of the women’s competition, reinforces our conviction that rugby has immense potential to become one of India’s fastest-growing sports."