Inaugural Asian Championships to open new frontier for game
- Author
- Timestamp
International rugby league will enter a new frontier when Philippines host Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore in November's inaugural Asian Championships.
The tournament is set to be the premier rugby league event in Asia and an opportunity to grow interest and participation in a region with a combined population of more than 700 million.
Philippines, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore will play from November 27 to 29, with teams comprising of non-NRL or Super League players but including some from NSWRL and QRL pathways with heritage to the nation they will represent.
Payne Haas, his brother Klese, who plays for the Titans (Philippines), and Broncos team-mate Gehamat Shibasaki (Japan), Bulldogs halfback Toby Sexton, Cowboys winger Jaxson Paulo (both Singapore) and Knights rookie Marcus D’Acre (Hong Kong) have Asian heritage.
“This tournament is a significant milestone for rugby league in the Asia Pacific region, showcasing the talent and passion that exists within our growing community,” Asia-Pacific Rugby League Chairman, Sandis Tsaka, said.
“We look forward to witnessing exhilarating matches and fostering the spirit of camaraderie among nations”
APRL Vice-Chairman Greg Peters said that while the game had traditionally focused on the Pacific, the introduction of the Asian Championship was a significant step for the sport in Asia.
“I eagerly anticipate the growth and development of rugby league in this region over the coming years. Congratulations to all participating nations," said Peters.
Japan and Philippines are IRL members, while Hong Kong and Singapore have membership applications pending.
APRL Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Edwards said the Asian Championships would be a celebration of unity, culture and the spirit of sport.
“I have had great pleasure working with these nations to develop this tournament and it’s the first time to have such a tournament within Asia. To see the growth of rugby league in Asia has been exciting,” Edwards said.
“We now have some home-grown talent and I am sure in years to come we will see players from these nations in the NRL and Super League.”
The Asian Championships will also be an opportunity to educate and develop match officials from the four nations, with the IRL to run a match official training seminar in conjunction with the tournament.
The tournament will be officiated by two match officials from Australia, with touch judges from the Philippines.
While Philippines and other nations have regularly played international matches in Australia, the Asian Championships aims to foster consistent growth in rugby league among member nations, beginning at the grassroots level.
Philippines
In 2020, the Philippine National Rugby League established a five-year strategic plan to develop the sport nationwide and provide a sustainable rugby league framework in the Philippines.
PNRL Chairman Reynaldo Nery said key milestones had been achieved over recent years, including government recognition, IRL membership, the establishment of a minimum four-team competition and the implementation of grassroots programs.
“We have governed our national men and women teams to their best world ranking positions of #23 and #14 respectively,” he said. “These accomplishments have paved the way for the 2025 inaugural Asian Championships, which we are proud to host.
“We sincerely hope that all teams, spectators, and esteemed guests will enjoy this historic occasion. While this milestone signifies progress for rugby league in the Philippines and guest nations, it is also our expectation that neighbouring Asian nations will be inspired to participate in future Asian Championships, thereby advancing the continued expansion of rugby league across Asia.”
Japan
The Japanese Rugby League Association was established in 1994 and oversees the development of the game nationally. The men’s national team, known as the Samurais, represents Japan in international competition.
JRL President Amane Konishi said that a Japanese domestic competition was first established in 1998 and since 2011 teams have played annually for the Japanese Rugby League National Cup.
In recent years, Japan has competed against Hong Kong, Thailand, and the Philippines, and is preparing for an upcoming fixture in Hokkaido, Japan against Niue. Most recently, in an IRL-sanctioned international match, Japan recorded a hard-fought 26–24 victory over El Salvador in Sydney.
Hong Kong
Rugby league in Hong Kong is a story of resilience and rebirth. Founded in 2015, the sport faced a significant setback during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a complete rebuild as its foundation of both expat and local players departed.
Starting over again, the community has been quietly building from the ground up, establishing a domestic summer league with three core teams. After a six-year international absence, Hong Kong re-emerged onto the scene in 2024, with a historic tour that included a match against Japan in Hokkaido and a first-ever international victory in Manila against the Philippines.
Hong Kong Rugby League Chairman Jason Yip said the Asian Championships was an historic moment for the sport, representing the first major IRL-backed competition in the region and an opportunity to solidify rugby league's place in Asia's sporting landscape.
"This is the culmination of years of hard work from a dedicated group of volunteers and players. Our domestic competition is growing, and that strong local base is what will sustain our international ambitions long-term,” Yip said.
"For us, the Asian Cup is about more than results on the field. It's about being part of something bigger - helping to build a lasting legacy for rugby league in Asia. This tournament provides a crucial pathway for emerging nations and will inspire a new generation of players across Hong Kong and the region to pick up a ball and get involved."
Singapore
Singapore Rugby League founder Dane Campbell, who is head of recruitment for Perth Bears, believes the nation has the potential to be a hub for regional development in South-East Asia.
With a population of 6 million, Singapore has as many people as New Zealand but is a gateway to 700m people in South-East Asia and Campbell said there was already a strong NRL following via social media.
“There is a growing demand for sport in general, and the NRL is very well supported not only by the expat community but also the local population,” Campbell said.
“A lot of people are approaching us saying, ‘we love Reece Walsh’, or watching the Broncos play, or ‘we love the Melbourne Storm’. It is actually surprising how many people in Singapore follow the Rabbitohs.
“This is our first foray, and it is an opportunity for five or six guys from Singapore to play with about 10 or 11 of the squad being Australian-based players who are either born in Singapore and are now studying in Australia, or have Singaporean parents or grandparents.
“We want to build this from the ground up and see if it can be something sustainable.”
In a further indication of the support for the Singapore Rugby League, a number of local businesses have come on board ahead of the Asian Championships.
InvestStream, a Singapore-based provider of AI-powered financial services intended for financial institutions, will be the major jersey sponsor for the Memerang when the team plays in the Philippines.
Sea Ventures Maritime and Seagull Group, both of whom are Singapore businesses, will also have their names on the jerseys for the Asian Championships.
