Rugby League Asian Cup

Rugby League Asian Cup

Sport	Rugby league
Instituted	2012
Number of teams	2
Region	Asia-Pacific
Holders	Philippines (2012)
Most titles	Philippines (2 titles)

The Rugby League Asian Cup was a rugby league football tournament for Asian nations that was held in 2012 and 2013. Both editions of the tournament featured the Philippines and Thailand playing each other once. Its organization is supported by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF; now the International Rugby League) which also donated the trophy for the tournament. ^[1]

History

On October 21, 2012, the Philippines Tamaraws defeated the Thailand Stars to win the inaugural Rugby League Asian Cup. ^[2] and on October 23, 2013, the Philippines again defeated Thailand at the second Asian Cup. ^[3]

New Era

Inaugural Asian Championship Rugby League

Sport	Rugby league
Formerly known as	Rugby League Asia Cup
Instituted	2025
Number of teams	4
Region	Asia-Pacific
Holders	[[ national rugby league team|]] (2025)
Most titles	[[ national rugby league team|]] (0 titles)

On October 14, 2025, It was published that Rugby League is set for a New Era: The Inaugural 2025 Asian Championship to be held in the Philippines. In 2025, the Inaugural Asian Championship Rugby League Tournament will make its long-awaited debut. Hosted in the Philippines, this historic competition will feature four nations: Japan, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and a newly established Singaporean national team. https://www.nrl.com/news/2025/10/14/inaugural-asian-championships-to-open-new-international-frontier-for-game/

Trophy

Captain of the winning Philippines team, Luke Srama holding the trophy at the inaugural Asian Cup in 2012.

On October 21, 2012, after beating Thailand in the Asian Cup final, Philippines captain Luke Srama was presented with the first Asian Cup trophy. Srama was also presented with a Friendship Cup as a good gesture between the two teams.

Format

The format of the inaugural Rugby League Asian Cup involved a one-off match held in Bangkok between Thailand and the Philippines to decide the champion of the tournament.

Japan planned to join the 2013 edition along with the Philippines and Thailand and host the 2014 tournament. ^[4] Both plans did not materialized.

New Era Format

The format of the newly formed Inaugural Rugby League Asian Championship will involve 4 nations to compete. Held in the Philippines the 4 nations will compete in a knock out platform, winners of the first game will compete in the championship final. Losers of the first game will have a chance to compete for 3rd place. The first match between Japan and Singapore will take place, followed by Hong Kong and the host nation The Philippines. Winners of these matches will face off in an ultimate showdown for an exciting finale!

Results

2012

21 October 2012

Thailand	0–86	Philippines
	Report

Royal Thai Police Stadium, Bangkok

2013

21 October 2013

Philippines	44–10	Thailand
	Report

Philippine Merchant Marine Academy Field, San Narciso, Zambales Attendance: 1,500

See also

• Sports portal

• RLIF World Rankings
• List of International Rugby League Teams
• European Cup
• Mediterranean Cup
• Pacific Cup

References

1. Cowley, Richard. "Rugby League Planet interviews Andrew Charles from Thailand Rugby League". Rugby League Planet. Archived from the original on 2013-07-02.
2. Rea, Marie (27 October 2012). "PAL Tamaraws' Inaugural Asian Cup Win in Thailand". Ausinformer. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
3. "Philippines Tamaraws Back to Back RL Asian Cup Champions - Match Report". Rugby League Planet. 23 October 2013. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
4. Tamura, Shun; Grieve, Lachlan (26 August 2013). "Growing Rugby League in Japan". Rugby League International Scores. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2025.