Latest news with #GMRRPL
NDTV
4 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Chennai Bulls To Lock Horns With Delhi Redz In Rugby Premier League Title Clash
After two weeks of intense tackles and spectacular tries, it all comes down to the inaugural Rugby Premier League (RPL) grand finale as the Chennai Bulls take on the Delhi Redz in what promises to be a fiery battle. Chennai Bulls enjoyed a dominant 31-12 win over Bengaluru Bravehearts in the semi-final but it wasn't so straightforward for the Delhi Redz side. They managed to defeat table-toppers Hyderabad Heroes 14-7 in a match that went right down to the wire, before Patrick Odongo scored a last-second try for the Redz. Chennai Bulls are in an incredible vein of form with the likes of Terry Kennedy, Joseva Talacolo and Va'aufauese Apelu-Maliko playing an exceptional brand of rugby. Indian players such as Aryan Dixit, Muhammad Jasim EP, and Shahnawaz Ahmed too have made their presence felt. Statistically, the Bulls are overall second in the league when it comes to tries, conversions, points scored and tackles made with 37, 25, 235 and 181 respectively. Delhi Redz have had an incredible arc in the GMR RPL. Despite finishing fourth in the league with three wins, two draws and five losses, the Redz have beaten the strongest team of the tournament in their last game to seal a spot in the final. Matias Osadczuk, Matteo Graziano, Patrick Odongo and Jordon Conroy have made stand-out contributions to the Redz. Indian players like Rajdeep Saha, Deepak Punia and Sunil Chawan too have had a memorable season so far. Delhi Redz will look to cause another upset in the final as they face a tough challenge in Chennai Bulls who have already beaten them twice in the tournament so far. Ahead of the big day, Chennai Bulls marquee player Terry Kennedy stated, ' This was our goal from the start to get to the final and hopefully get the job done tomorrow. Our performance in the semi-final was probably our best one of the tournament and something we're really proud of.' 'We were forcing things in matches before but now we are back to the basics and are just trying to control the ball and tempo of the game. It's something we've managed to do over the last few games and it has really helped. The accuracy is there but we need to work on our discipline on the field and that will be our focus in the final game' he added. Assessing his opposition, the Captain of the Delhi Redz, Matias Osadczuk said, ' I look at Chennai Bulls, I see aggressive and talented international players. So we need to keep the ball all game and play out from the defence. We need to be in control and go up the field and add pressure. We need to stay concentrated and keep an eye on players like Apelu, Terry Kennedy and the other marquee players.'
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Hyderabad Heroes, Chennai Bulls, Bengaluru Bravehearts, Delhi Redz set to fight for RPL spot in final
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 28 (ANI): The league stage of the inaugural edition of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) concluded on Friday evening, at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Kreeda Sankul (Andheri Sports Complex). After nearly two weeks of high-octane rugby sevens action, the league is down to the business end with four teams making it through to the playoffs. Hyderabad Heroes, Chennai Bulls, Bengaluru Bravehearts and Delhi Redz are the four franchises that have qualified for the playoffs. The two semifinals will take place on Saturday, with Chennai Bulls taking on the Bengaluru Bravehearts in the first match, while Hyderabad Heroes will be up against Delhi Redz. With former New Zealand captain DJ Forbes at the helm as head coach, Hyderabad Heroes have been the most dominant team across the RPL this season. Manu Moreno's leadership has been admirable as he's led from the front, while the performance of Indian players like Javed Hussain and Sambit Pradhan have been made everyone sit up and take notice. With 9 nines, one loss and 34 points during the league stage, Hyderabad Heroes head into the playoffs as the favorites, especially after getting the better of their semi-final opponents Delhi Redz, against who they registered the double. Chennai Bulls were on a roll to start the season, laying down an early marker with their performances. The likes of Terry Kennedy, Joseva Talacolo and Va'aufauese Apelu-Maliko have been exceptional in terms of their international players, while likes of Aryan Dixit, Muhammad Jasim EP, and Shahnawaz Ahmed have all made their presence felt from the Indian contingent. Head coach Ben Gollings has been meticulous in his approach so far this season, as his team secured 6 wins, a draw and 3 losses during their group stage. With 5 wins, a draw and 4 losses in their group stage, it's fair to say that the Bengaluru Bravehearts have had a rollercoaster season so far. Paco Hernandez has been calm and calculative in his approach as head coach, with his team already showing that they can go toe-to-toe with any side. In fact, Bengaluru Bravehearts are the only side in the tournament to have beaten Hyderabad Heroes so far. With the likes of Mohit Khatri, Akuila Rokolisoa, Scott Curry, Pol Pla and Philip Wokorach, they have enough experience in the side to rise to any challenge. It has been an up and down campaign for Delhi Redz in the GMR RPL, as they search for consistency going into the playoffs. With 3 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses, head coach Tomasi Cama would be expecting his side to step up to the plate when the stakes are raised. Matias Osadczuk, Matteo Graziano, Patrick Odongo, Jordon Conroy have all contributed to a healthy team atmosphere, helping the likes of Rajdeep Saha, Deepak Punia, Sunil Chawan and other Indian players flourish. The two sides faced each other twice in the league stage, with Bengaluru Bravehearts registering a commanding 26-0 victory in their first encounter. Chennai Bulls fought back in the reverse fixture, winning 31-24. Hyderabad Heroes got the better on both occasions when these two sides met in the league stage. The table-toppers secured a 40-19 win in the first match, while winning 31-7 in the reverse fixture. (ANI)
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
League will have huge impact on young Indian players, believes Chennai Bulls player Gaurav Kumar
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 27 (ANI): Chennai Bulls' latest recruit, Gaurav Kumar, who came in as a replacement player, has wasted no time to make his presence felt, registering three conversions in their commanding 40-21 win against the Kalinga Black Tigers at the Shahaji Raje Bhosle Kreeda Sankul (Andheri Sports Complex) on Thursday. With that win, the Chennai Bulls wrapped up their league stage matches with six wins, currently placed second on the points table. After the win, Chennai Bulls' hybrid Gaurav Kumar opened up on his initial experience at the GMR RPL. 'There was a little pressure at the start. I used to think about how I would play alongside the players who have won medals in the Olympics, and what it would be to play with Olympian players for the first time. But when we played in the first match, we got used to it and it started feeling normal', he said as quoted by a press release from RPL. Sharing some insight into his journey and how he started playing rugby, Gaurav mentioned, 'I was introduced to rugby at the age of 14, when I was in Patna. From there, I went to Odisha and had a lot of fun while playing there, which gave me more confidence. I represented Bihar for the first time and won my first medal in the U-18 category. From there, my interest in the game kept growing, and I became a senior player in the Bihar team.' His never-say-die attitude also helped him make the India camp on multiple occasions, before finally representing his country in the Asian Championship in 2022. He shared, 'I made it to the Indian U-17 camp, but didn't get selected. Even though I was very upset about it, I didn't give up. I made it to the Indian Rugby 15s team in 2022, playing in the Asian Championship third division, where I was the top scorer.' Currently the head coach of the Bihar rugby team, Gaurav bagged his first coaching stint when he was 19, taking charge of the Bihar U-18s team. Having trained players from Bihar, he also explained how the GMR RPL will have an impact on rugby in India. 'The league will have a huge impact on the young Indian players. Rugby is famous in some regions, and the league is going to make it even more famous because a lot of Indians are watching the league and also want to be part of the league. The players are very excited to play in the league, and they are preparing for it,' he added. Highlighting the learnings he has adopted from his time with the Chennai Bulls so far, Gaurav said, 'The most important thing is to trust your teammates, let them do what they do, and talk to them when they make a mistake. I learnt that there is no pressure; you have to enjoy the game. The most important thing is to be brave. The coach and marquee players tell us to keep being brave and playing. If we make a mistake, they will help us correct it. That is the best thing about the team. They are very caring and always encourage us, even when we make a mistake.' Without giving too much away, Gaurav also shared the Chennai Bulls' thought process going into the playoffs on Sunday. 'Our team is focusing on the playoffs now. There are opportunities because some players who have performed get a chance to rest, so that they can participate in the semi-finals and finals. We are fully prepared for that challenge. The coach has his strategy, but that's a secret', he concluded. (ANI)
NDTV
7 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
French Rugby Union's Christophe Reigt Terms The GMR Rugby Premier League As An "Interesting Try"
There has been a buzz, and heads have been turning in the world of rugby. All thanks to the unique nature of the competition that is the GMR Rugby Premier League – a first ever franchise-based Rugby Sevens tournament in the world. The who's who from the rugby fraternity are part of this revolutionary movement, and keeping a close eye on proceedings was Christophe Reigt, General Manager, French Rugby Federation. Interestingly, France's men's rugby sevens team had won the Olympic Gold medal during the Paris Olympics, with Christophe being a part of the contingent. 'For us, at the French Rugby Federation, it was very important to come and see the GMR Rugby Premier League in India, because it is a very new product of Rugby Sevens, and we were keen to find out what is happening,' said Christophe, who is considered to be one of the foremost thinkers in the game. 'What's special in the GMR RPL, is that the league is trying a new format. And there is time for recovery for the players too as they are playing one game a day. This is a very new thing in Rugby Sevens, and it is very interesting for the people who are involved to watch this unfold. The franchise model is new, and it is different for sure,' the Frenchman explained. The GMR RPL has produced some scintillating performances from the legends such as Akuila Rokolisoa, and Jerry Tuwai. And in Christophe's book, this is one of the best things about the tournament, as there is high quality rugby on display. This interestingly has been possible only after World Rugby put aside time on their calendar, so that the best of the best could make their way to India for the inaugural edition of the GMR Rugby Premier League. 'It is very interesting to see that in India that there is a movement that Rugby India and GMR Sports is anchoring to develop Rugby Sevens. It is a very good idea also to have international stars and legends show case the high level of the sport through the GMR Rugby Premier League. It is very important and an interesting way of developing Indian Rugby. It is a very interesting try,' he added. Whilst some of the big international names have been front and centre in terms of the standout performances, the Indian players have also stepped up with some season-defining moments. One of the best performers in fact has been Javed Hussain for the Hyderabad Heroes, who is among the players with the most number of tries in the tournament. 'For the Indian players, they are able to play with the best international players, and have a better understanding of the level and calibre of rugby played at the highest levels. And they can share a lot of information on and off the field as well during the course of the month, which is very important.' 'This is a first step for the Indian players wherein they are more in touch with high-level rugby, and maybe through the year, in the future, the Indian players can get more experiences like the GMR RPL, which will help their development,' he added. Reflecting on his time at the GMR RPL and the tournament overall, Christophe said, 'From my trip, hopefully, I can take back some new ideas. It isn't that only the traditionally strong rugby playing nations will have the best ideas. A good and new idea can from Indian Rugby as well.'
United News of India
7 days ago
- Sport
- United News of India
Bhupinder Singh relishing opportunity to give it his all for Hyderabad Heroes at GMR RPL
Mumbai, June 25 (UNI) After waiting in the wings for his opportunity, Bhupinder Singh eventually made his way into the GMR Rugby Premier League as a replacement player after Sumit Roy from Hyderabad Heroes picked up an injury. His patience, hard work and determination paid off on Tuesday evening, when he registered his first try of the tournament to help the table-toppers register a 17-0 win against Chennai Bulls. This was Hyderabad Heroes' seventh win in eight matches, helping them confirm their spot in the playoffs. Reflecting on his first try at the GMR RPL, Bhupinder Singh shared, 'I am very happy to register my first try. World champions are playing against me and I am happy to beat them. I will continue to do my best in the team and leave no stone unturned, even when I am playing for India. I will always do my best and give it my all.' Bhupinder has always been a sportsperson at heart. With his focus on athletics, he joined the army through the sports quota before being introduced to rugby in 2021, because of his speed and agility. 'I have played in the army and the services team. I have played twice in the 15s Army India team. I went to Qatar to play in Division 2. In 2024, I got a chance to play in the first division in Sri Lanka. I will continue to prove myself and play with all my heart. I will show what I can do on the ground', mentioned Bhupinder. Having made his way into the GMR RPL, the 24-year-old had to overcome the setback of not being selected in the initial draft of Indian players. Looking back on that, he said, 'It was difficult. I was in the list, but there were players who were better than me. I was in extras, but I was ready. I was working hard day and night in practice. I believed that I would get a chance someday, and I will show my 100%.' Sharing his experience of entering into the Hyderabad Heroes setup, Bhupinder said, 'When I came here for the first time, I felt strange. Everyone is a world-class player. I didn't know how to play with them. When the warm-up and training started, I started to understand them. I understood their abilities, I understood what they were teaching and today I am playing in front of you.' GMR RPL is the first-ever franchise-based rugby league in the world, bringing some of the best rugby sevens players to India. Elaborating on his experience and how the league is providing a platform for rugby in India, Bhupinder added, 'The league has done very well for our players to help them level up. We are also feeling very proud that players who have participated in the Olympics have come here. It feels very good to play with them. 'The best thing for me is that all the Indian, national and state players are getting a chance to play here. They are getting a very good experience with the world players. In rugby, players have a lot of quickness and energy. We also have that, but they have the next level. By practicing with them, we are improving our speed, tackle, defence and attack. We are also learning how to move, where to take the ball and from where. This is what we get to learn', Bhupinder concluded. UNI BM
