Now that the dust has settled on our 2025 Purchas Cup Campaign in Auckland, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the weekend and thank everyone who made it all possible.

​First and foremost, a massive thank you to the New Zealand Falcons for being such incredible hosts. You put on an exceptional tournament, and your hospitality across the ditch made the trip truly memorable for our entire contingent. We thoroughly appreciate all the hard work, planning, and long hours that goes into hosting an event of this scale. Your organisation was absolutely outstanding, running smoothly from start to finish and making the weekend a fantastic experience for every player, coach, and supporter.

​What truly makes the weekend special is the camaraderie and friendship that exists between the clubs involved. While the competition on the pitch was fierce, fast, and physical, the spirit off it was incredible and deeply respectful. Everyone was so genuinely friendly and welcoming throughout the tournament, proving once again that our community is about more than just the game and the result. Getting to reconnect with old friends and welcome new faces from across the region is what makes these tours an absolute highlight of the calendar.

​This year in particular we were amazed by the growing standard of rugby across all the competing teams. It's clear that the dedication being shown back home in training is paying off and continually raising the bar for the entire competition. We're incredibly proud to see the quality of play continually improving, demonstrating the passion and commitment of every player. The future of inclusive rugby in both Australia and New Zealand is looking stronger than ever!

​A massive, heartfelt congratulations goes out to our 2's! You absolutely dominated the tournament, going through undefeated to emerge as the well-deserved champions of the Bingham Shield. The quality of your teamwork and the belief you showed in yourselves was clear for all to see in every match. For many of you, this was your first time touring with the Convicts, and we hope this powerful taste of victory fuels your desire to come back for more next year, especially with the Bingham Cup looming large. We owe a huge thank you to the dedication of our 2's coaching and management staff. Their commitment, time, and expense are what allowed the team to perform at their peak, collect the silverware, and earn those hard-fought medals. You should all be incredibly proud of what you achieved.

​As for the 1's, we ran up against a tough Brisbane side who proved elusive in the first group match and then just had the upper hand in the final with a tight two-point victory. We had our share of challenges that made life tough out on the field, but it was a valiant effort, with great sportsmanship shown both during and after the matches, which truly embodies the spirit of the club. Our sincere appreciation also goes out to the tireless hard work of the 1's coaching and management team, you helped keep the team focused, fueled, and moving all day long. While it certainly stings a bit to be on the losing side of a final, a huge congratulations to the Brisbane Hustlers on their hard-fought win and claiming the Purchas Cup. We can't wait to face them again at their home Bingham Cup, which for the first time since 2014 will be played on Australian soil.

​A campaign of this size requires a massive amount of commitment that goes beyond the players on the field. A huge shout-out to our physio team for the magic they worked in putting people back together again and helping us get through the season and onto the field. We're also grateful to all the support staff for their help in bringing everything together and to those who put in the long hours from the very start to the end of the day. Your commitment is hugely appreciated.

​Thank you to everyone—players, coaches, support staff, and our wider community—for making the 2025 Purchas Cup an unforgettable success!