Queensland Premier Rugby

Last updated

Queensland Premier Rugby
Queensland Premier Rugby logo 2014.png
Sport Rugby union
Founded1887;137 years ago (1887)
No. of teams9
Country Australia
Most recent
champion(s)
Brothers (2023)
Most titles University of Queensland (33 titles)
TV partner(s)Stan Sport
Nine Network

Queensland Premier Rugby is a semi professional club rugby union competition in Queensland, Australia. Nine clubs play in the competition, eight clubs are from Brisbane, and one club is from Gold Coast.
The premiership has been contested in its present form since 1929. [1]

Contents

History

Queensland Premier Rugby (QPR) evolved out of the Brisbane club competition that had been running since 1887. It was created by players, administrators, referees and coaches to expand and improve the top level of Queensland non-professional rugby. QPR provides Queensland rugby players a stepping stone for selection into the Queensland Reds and other teams in Super Rugby or other professional rugby competitions.

Previous to 1920, the Hospitals Challenge Cup was established as a fund-raising exercise for the Brisbane General Hospital. After the devastation of World War I the competition was suspended until the Hospitals Cup was established. The Brisbane Club competition recommenced in 1929.

The 1975 Grand Final was played between the Brothers club and GPS and Brothers won the match. Teachers-Norths, Wests and again Brothers won the next seasons. In 1979, the first ever draw in a final occurred with a 24-all draw between rivals University and Brothers, a reply of the final was held, which saw University defeat Brothers by a mere 3 points. Brothers dominated the next few seasons, winning the 1980 to 1984 premierships. Souths won their first title in 1986, and University won a number of titles at the end of the decade.

Souths came to major prominence during the 1990s, winning the competition five times in a row from 1991 through to 1995, and then again in 1998 and 2000. They also featured in the 1996 season final which GPS won, and the 1997 final which Easts won. Canberra also competed in the competition, and found major success, winning three titles in a row from 2001 to 2003. The Gold Coast Breakers also began to become a force in the competition, featuring in five finals from 2001 to 2007, although they were on the receiving end of the competitions largest ever grand final score being thrashed 85-19 by the Sunnybank Dragons in the 2007 Grand Final.

In future, teams from other Rugby regions in Queensland may also join the competition, thus encouraging the pursuit of Rugby excellence across the state, not just confining it Queensland's south-east corner. However at a meeting of the Sunshine Coast Rugby Union in October 2013, it was decided by the members not to compete in the 2014 QRU’s Premier Rugby Competition, but will instead focus its energy on becoming the leading force in regional rugby. [2]

Other trophies

Thomas Welsby Memorial Cup: The top two first grade teams at the end of the first full round of home and away matches contest the Welsby Cup in their second round meeting. The cup was originally donated by Thomas Welsby.

Keith Horsley Memorial Trophy: Now presented to First Grade Minor Premiers, since 1978. The trophy donated by the Family of Sgt Keith Thornton Horsley who was Killed in Action during WW2.

Doughty Challenge Shield: Named for businessman Hector Randall Doughty, [3] a former marine engineer with the Queensland Harbours and Rivers Department and lightweight champion boxer, [4] the Doughty Shield is awarded annually to the champion Brisbane club, based on competition points won across all participating grades.

Queensland Premier Rugby Teams

Current Teams

Queensland Premier Rugby ClubColoursMonikerCity/Region/TownSuburb/sEst.Premiership/sMost recent
Brothers Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Filth Brisbane Albion 190529 [lower-alpha 1] 2023;1 year ago
University of Queensland Queensland Uni Colours.svg Students Brisbane St Lucia 191133 [lower-alpha 2] 2021;3 years ago
GPS Brisbane GPS Colours.svg Gallopers Brisbane Ashgrove 193162018;6 years ago
South Brisbane Souths Magpies Colours.svg Magpies Brisbane Annerley 1948102015;9 years ago
East Brisbane Easts Brisbane Colours.svg Tigers Brisbane Norman Park 194752020;4 years ago
West Brisbane Wests Brisbane Colours.svg Bulldogs Brisbane Toowong 195142022;2 years ago
Sunnybank Sunnybank Colours.svg Dragons Brisbane MacGregor 196932011;13 years ago
North Brisbane Norths QUT Colours.svg Eagles Brisbane Wooloowin 19912 [lower-alpha 3] 1976;48 years ago
Bond University* Bond University Breakers colours.svg Bullsharks Gold Coast Robina 20141 [lower-alpha 4] 2004;20 years ago

Former Teams

Queensland Premier Rugby ClubColoursMonikerCity/Region/TownSuburb/sEst.Premiership/sMost recent
Gold Coast* Gold Coast Breakers colours.svg Breakers Gold Coast Robina 19961 [lower-alpha 5] 2004;20 years ago
Sunshine Coast Sunshine Coast Rugby Colours.svg Stingrays Sunshine Coast K. Waters 2005
Canberra Canberra Vikings Colours.png Vikings Canberra Canberra 199432003;21 years ago

Grand Final results, Hospital Cup winners (since 1946)

2023 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 26–24 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane
2022 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane 44–27 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
2021 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 29–12 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
2020 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane 33–18 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
2019 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 31–26 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
2018 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane 23–16 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
2017 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 23–14 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
2016 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 31–28 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
2015 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 39–12 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane
2014 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 20–18 Sunnybank Colours.svg Sunnybank
2013 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane 27–22 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
2012 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 46–20 Sunnybank Colours.svg Sunnybank
2011 Sunnybank Colours.svg Sunnybank 35–24 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
2010 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 19–11 Sunshine Coast Rugby Colours.svg Sunshine Coast
2009 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 26–19 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
2008 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane 22–21 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
2007 Sunnybank Colours.svg Sunnybank 85–19 Gold Coast Breakers colours.svg Gold Coast
2006 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane 23–22 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
2005 Sunnybank Colours.svg Sunnybank 41–17 Gold Coast Breakers colours.svg Gold Coast
2004 Gold Coast Breakers colours.svg Gold Coast 24–18 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
2003 Canberra Vikings Colours.png Canberra 29–16 Gold Coast Breakers colours.svg Gold Coast
2002 Canberra Vikings Colours.png Canberra 45–3 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane
2001 Canberra Vikings Colours.png Canberra 32–10 Gold Coast Breakers colours.svg Gold Coast
2000 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 34–30 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane
1999 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane 16–15 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane
1998 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 34–18 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane
1997 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane 18–16 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1996 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane 12–6 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1995 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 27–11 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane
1994 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 19–8 Sunnybank Colours.svg Sunnybank
1993 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 27–8 Sunnybank Colours.svg Sunnybank
1992 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 44–10 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1991 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 22–15 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane
1990 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 19–10 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
1989 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 34–9 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1988 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 18–10 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1987 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 20–19 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1986 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 31–13 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
1985 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane 10–7 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1984 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 18–3 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane
1983 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 30–15 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1982 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 25–16 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1981 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 36–13 Norths QUT Colours.svg Teachers-North Brisbane
1980 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 19–0 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1979 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 16–13 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
1978 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 19–15 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1977 Wests Brisbane Colours.svg West Brisbane 15–10 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
1976 Norths QUT Colours.svg Teachers-North Brisbane 16–4 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1975 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 23–6 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1974 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 27–19 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1973 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 20–10 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1972 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane 23–18 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1971 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 17–3 Easts Brisbane Colours.svg East Brisbane
1970 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 24–6 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1969 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 22–14 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
1968 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 17–6 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1967 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 17–15 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1966 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 36–9 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1965 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 17–15 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1964 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 29–9 Norths QUT Colours.svg Teachers-North Brisbane
1963 Norths QUT Colours.svg Teachers-North Brisbane 28–6 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1962 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 18–12 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1961 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane 19–13 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1960 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 11–6 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
1959 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 13–11 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1958 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane 9–5 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1957 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 23–18 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1956 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 19–6 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1955 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 18–16 Souths Magpies Colours.svg South Brisbane
1954 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 19–3 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1953 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 11–9 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1952 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 11–3 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
1951 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 17–6 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1950 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 21–10 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1949 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 13–8 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland
1948 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 21–18 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane
1947 Queensland Uni Colours.svg University of Queensland 8–6 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane
1946 Brothers Rugby Colours.svg Brothers Brisbane 11–6 GPS Colours.svg GPS Brisbane

Total Premierships (since 1946)

TeamPremiers (Hospitals Challenge Cup)Runners-up (Vince Nicholls Memorial Shield)
University of Queensland2420
Brothers2212
Souths1010
Easts55
GPS415
Wests45
Sunnybank34
Norths00
Bond University00
Canberra30
Gold Coast14
Teachers-Norths11
Teachers11
Sunshine Coast Stingrays01

Former clubs (since 1929)

See also

Notes

  1. 27 QRU, 1 BRL.
  2. 31 QRU, 2 BRL.
  3. Both Premierships were as Teachers / Teachers–Norths.
  4. As Gold Coast Breakers.
  5. As Gold Coast Breakers.

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References

  1. Queensland qru | Hospital Cup Winners Archived August 29, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "SCRU to Consolidate its Position | Sunshine Coast Rugby Union". www.scru.com.au. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013.
  3. "Eagle Junction's good season". The Courier-Mail . 13 February 1937. Retrieved 17 November 2014 via Trove.
  4. "New manager and referee Mr. Doughty and Major Craig". The Referee . 5 July 1922. Retrieved 17 November 2014 via Trove.