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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.
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 |
| Administrator | New Zealand Rugby League |
| No. of teams | 6 |
| Country |  Cook Islands Fiji New Zealand Papua New Guinea Samoa Tonga |
| Most recent champion(s) | New Zealand |
| Most titles | New Zealand (5 defences) |
History edit
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 edit
| 6 October 2011 |
| Cook Islands | Cancelled by the NZRL | New Zealand |
| Report |
| Avarua Tereora Stadium, Rarotonga Attendance: Match cancelled |
Results by team edit
| Country | Challenges | Defences | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand |
6 | 6 | 0 |
| Tonga |
3 | 0 | 3 |
| Samoa |
2 | 0 | 2 |
| Papua New Guinea
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
| Cook Islands |
0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fiji |
0 | 0 | 0 |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Double header game day notes". New Zealand Rugby League. 2019-06-22. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ "League: Kiwis and Tonga play for trophies". Otago Daily Times Online News. 2008-10-16. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ "League: Trophies up for grabs in Kiwis-Tonga test". NZ Herald. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ "Cook Islands to lose $40,000 on cancelled test". Stuff. 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
External links edit
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