Asian Cup win ignites Singapore push for WCC, NRL matches

Singapore Rugby League founder Dane Campbell believes the interest generated by winning the inaugural Asian Championships could be a catalyst for the city state to become regular hosts of the World Club Challenge.

Led by boom Rabbitohs halfback Tylan Berryman and inspired by messages of support from Perth Bears recruit Toby Sexton and Cowboys winger Jaxon Paulo, who also have Singaporean heritage, the Memerang announced their arrival in the international stage in stunning fashion.

In their first international fixture, Singapore upset Japan 48-4 and the Memerang then shocked tournament hosts, Philippines, 62-0 in the final of the Asian Championships at International School Manila.

Campbell, who is also the Perth Bears recruitment manager, is now working on plans to grow the game in Singapore, with a domestic competition comprising of up to six teams - including a National Academy team - set to launch next year.

He said the growing awareness of the game in Singapore would also enhance opportunities to host major events in Singapore, such as the World Club Challenge or the proposed NRL Global Round, possibly involving a Bears match as it is only a four-hour flight from Perth.

“Singapore is ideally placed in terms of time zone, location and facilities; and from a personal standpoint it would be great to think the Perth Bears could play a game there at some stage,” Campbell said.

But I think there is also an opportunity for us to pitch to have the World Club Challenge hosted in Singapore annually.

“If we could make that a big event in its own right then fans on both sides of the globe would understand that once their team wins the grand final all roads then lead to Singapore for the World Club Challenge."

The Broncos will travel to England to meet Hull KR in February, but Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy recently revealed that the NRL premiers had considered playing the World Club Challenge in the Middle East.

Campbell said Singapore would be an ideal neutral venue for the annual fixture between the NRL and Super League winners.  

“You have got to stop through either Singapore or Dubai on the way to and from Australia and England, the time zone is friendly, the National Stadium is a 50,000-seat venue with a roof over it and air-conditioned seats so no matter what time of the year you play the conditions are going to be good," he said.

The side that won the Asian Championships final included 11 players who were either born or reside in Singapore, and six based in Australia, including Berryman, who plays for South Sydney’s Jersey Flegg team.

Berryman, who qualifies through a Singapore-born grandmother, scored two brilliant individual tries and landed six goals from as many attempts in their historic 48-4 defeat of Japan.

The 19-year-old scored another two tries and kicked eight goals against Philippines, while having a hand in most of the Memerang’s other tries during the tournament.

“He was incredible in both games, and it was great to see what he did and how he really owned both of the games. You tell it really meant something to him to play for his Singaporean heritage,” Campbell said.

“Toby Sexton and Jaxon Paulo sent a good will message to the boys on game day, which was really cool.

"I know the players got a buzz out of those boys being invested and watching online, and also from Cameron Munster giving the team a shout out on social media, which was great.”

The reaction to the Singapore Rugby League’s own social media posts indicated that many weren’t aware the nation played rugby league but would now be following or supporting the team and the game.

"There was a little bit of interest before the event but since then that interest has grown," Campbell said.

“Of a nation of six million people, approximately one million are expats – Australian, New Zealanders, English – so many of them would have some understanding of what rugby league is, and it’s given some attention to the fact that Singapore is now playing rugby league.

“Since getting a bit of exposure over the last couple of weeks and winning our games, we have had a number of inquiries from prominent Singapore-based companies that would like to become involved with what we are doing, so this is just a starting point for where we want to go."

After announcing the formation of two domestic-based teams before the Asian Championships, Singapore Rugby League are set to establish a National Academy team for 17-to-20-year-old players and at least one other team to play in the 2026 competition.

“We had two players in our squad at the Asian Championships aged 17-years-of-age, two 18-year-olds and two 19-year-olds so it is very young group,” Campbell said.

“With the National Academy, it is an opportunity for us to get a bit of a touch point with some of the quality young kids and skill them up to play for the national team, or failing that they can then fold back into one of the five senior teams after a period of time.

The Asian Championships was our first foray and we can only get better.

"We want to grow not only our playing base but the quality of that, and the coaching and match officiating, as well, by having regular coach and match official education training in place.”

2025 Asian Championships

Singapore 48 (Cuba Van Der Laak 2, Tylan Berryman 2, Tyreeq Salleh- Meadows, Liam Oakley, Shawn Kang, Liam Postlethwaite, Lucius Yau tries; Tylan Berryman 6, Jake Tobin 2 goals) def Japan 4 (Brett Reid try).

Philippines 44 (Isaac Rosario 4, Lito Ramirez, Paul Sheedy, Joe Mari Rauras tries; Nicolas Rey Forrest 7, Jonel Martina goals) def Hong Kong-China 10 (Ron Tabodi, Harri Speed tries; Callum Mann 1 goal).

3rd-place playoff

Japan 34 (Geow Louw 2, Watanabe Kazan, Sean Hasegawa, Tai Hooper, Furuta Yasutake tries; Watanabe Kazan 5 goals) def Hong Kong-China 30 (Ron Tavodi 3, Juan Claude Richards, Nelson Chan, Kayne Chan Kritchner tries; Callum Mann 3 goals).

Final

Singapore 62 (Jake Tobin 2, Connor Postlethwaite 2, Wayne Baxter 2, Tylan Berryman 2, Liam Postlethwaite, Cuba Cleaven-Van Der Laak, Kayden Chia tries; Tylan Berryman 8, Harresh Krishnan goals) def Philippines 0.