Edwin Ipape (born 2 February 1999) is a Papua New Guinean professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the Leigh Leopards in the Betfred Super League and Papua New Guinea at international level.[3]
Career
Ipape made his international debut for Papua New Guinea in their 24-6 defeat by Samoa in the 2019 Oceania Cup.[4][5]
Ipape was on a train and trial contract with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles as part of their 2020 pre season.[6] He played two games for the Manly 9s team during the NRL 9s.[7]
On 28 May 2022, Ipape played for the Leigh Centurions in their 2022 RFL 1895 Cup final victory over Featherstone Rovers.[8]
On 3 October 2022, Ipape played for the Leigh Centurions in their Million Pound Game victory over the Batley Bulldogs which saw the club promoted back to the Super League.[9]
In October he was named in the Papua New Guinea squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[10]
In November he was named in the 2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament.[11] On 12 August 2023, Ipape played for Leigh in their 2023 Challenge Cup final victory over Hull Kingston Rovers. It was Leigh's first major trophy in 52 years.[12]
2023
Ipape played 25 games for Leigh in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished fifth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. He played in their elimination playoff loss against Hull Kington Rovers.[13]
2024
Ipape played 19 games for Leigh in the 2024 Super League season which saw the club finish fifth on the table.[14]
2025
On 24 February 2025, Leigh announced that he had signed a 6 year contract extension to remain at Leigh until the end of 2031.[15] Ipape rejected an NRL deal to remain at Leigh.[16]
Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Tries | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 |  PNG Hunters
|
11 | 3 | 12 |
| 2022 |  Leigh Leopards
|
27 | 23 | 92 |
| 2023 | 28 | 8 | 32 | |
| 2024 | 19 | 6 | 28 | |
| 2025 | 2 | |||
| Totals | 80 | 39 | 156 |
source:[17]
References
- ^ "Player Summary: Edwin Ipape". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ^ "Edwin Ipape - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
- ^ "Adrian Lam brings Papua New Guinea star to Leigh for 2022". 18 January 2022.
- ^ "Samoa vs Papua New Guinea". Wide World of Sports. 22 June 2019.
- ^ "Young gun Coates named in Kumuls squad". QRL.com. 16 June 2019.
- ^ Keslep, Simon (21 November 2019). "Ipape set for trial with Manly". Post Courier. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
- ^ "Sea Eagles team for NRL Nines". Manly Warringah Sea Eagles. February 10, 2020.
- ^ "Featherstone Rovers: 1895 Cup final defeat to Leigh Centurions gives Brian McDermott's side signal of their progress". www.yorkshirepost.co.uk.
- ^ "Leigh 44-12 Batley: Centurions seal Super League return with deserved win in Championship Grand Final". www.skysports.com.
- ^ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
- ^ Samoan domination as unlikely halfback earns No.7 jersey: WC Team of the Tournament
- ^ "Challenge Cup final: Hull KR 16-17 Leigh Leopards - Leigh claim first Wembley final win in 52 years". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Leigh Leopards 2023 season in review". www.leighleopards.co.uk.
- ^ "Super League semi-finals: Wigan Warriors cruise past Leigh Leopards- live commentary and video clips". www.skysports.com.
- ^ Chalk, Ethan Lee (2025-02-24). "PNG hooker snubs NRL interest, signs MASSIVE six-year contract". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ "Edwin Ipape's first words following bumper contract announcement as rejected NRL club revealed". Love Rugby League. 2025-02-23. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
- ^ "Edwin Ipape - Playing Career - RLP". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
External links
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