Peter Leitch QSM Challenge Trophy

Last updated
Peter Leitch QSM Challenge Trophy
Sport Rugby league
Founded2008
Administrator New Zealand Rugby League
No. of teams6
CountryFlag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Most recent
champion(s)
New Zealand
Most titles New Zealand (5 defences)

The Peter Leitch QSM Challenge Trophy (often shortened to "the Peter Leitch Challenge Trophy") is a rugby league challenge trophy that is contested when the New Zealand national rugby league team play a Pacific island side in non-Rugby League World Cup internationals. [1] Rugby League Four Nations games, however, do count and the challenge trophy has been contested at both the 2010 and 2014 editions. The trophy is named after New Zealand businessmen, philanthropist and Rugby League advocate Peter Leitch.

Contents

History

On 15 October 2008 New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) chairman Ray Haffenden announced that the Kiwis vs Tonga Test Match would be used to launch the Peter Leitch QSM Challenge Trophy. The NZRL wished to "acknowledged the close affinity and involvement [Leitch] has had with the Pacific Island and rugby league communities in New Zealand for many years." [2]

While held infrequently it was the NZRL's intention that the trophy will "be at stake in future internationals between the Kiwis and our Pacific neighbours.” [3]

The 2011 edition was cancelled by the NZRL due to a high number of injured New Zealand players. [4] This match would have been the first Rugby League test between the Cooks Islands and New Zealand.

Results

18 October 2008
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg56–8Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Report
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 5,000
14 October 2009
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg40–24Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Report
Rotorua International Stadium, Rotorua
Attendance: 8,000
16 October 2010
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg50–6Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Report
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 11,512
6 October 2011
Cook Islands  Flag of the Cook Islands.svgCancelled by the NZRL Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand
Report
Avarua Tereora Stadium, Rarotonga
Attendance: Match cancelled
30 October 2010
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg76–12Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea
Report
1 November 2014
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg14–12Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa
Report
Toll Stadium, Whangārei
Attendance: 16,912
Referee: Flag of New Zealand.svg Henry Perenara
Player of the Match: Flag of New Zealand.svg Kieran Foran
22 June 2019
New Zealand  Flag of New Zealand.svg34–14Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga
Report
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
Attendance: 23,624
Referee: Flag of Australia (converted).svg Ben Cummins

Results by team

CountryChallengesDefencesLosses
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 660
Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 303
Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 202
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 101
Flag of the Cook Islands.svg  Cook Islands 000
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 000

See also

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References

  1. "Double header game day notes". New Zealand Rugby League. 2019-06-22. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  2. "League: Kiwis and Tonga play for trophies". Otago Daily Times Online News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  3. "League: Trophies up for grabs in Kiwis-Tonga test". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  4. "Cook Islands to lose $40,000 on cancelled test". Stuff. 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2021-01-27.