Rugby Premier League S2: Hyderabad Heroes reach final after 29-24 win over Chennai Bulls
Synopsis
Hyderabad Heroes survived a fierce Chennai Bulls comeback to win 29-24 and reach the Rugby Premier League Season 2 final — a result built on Taitaifono Tavita's brace, Diego Ardao's composure at the death, and a squad that, according to coach DJ Forbes, has learned to execute when it matters most.
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad Heroes defeated Chennai Bulls 29-24 in the Rugby Premier League Season 2 semifinal on 27 June at Gachibowli Stadium .
Taitaifono Tavita scored a brace, with Sambit Pradhan netting the decisive try in the closing stages.
Marika Koroibete crossed for Chennai, keeping the match alive until the final minutes.
Captain Manuel Moreno and Head Coach DJ Forbes credited the squad's composure and game plan for the win.
Hyderabad will face Mumbai Dreamers in the Season 2 final on 28 June at the same venue.
Hyderabad Heroes edged out Chennai Bulls 29-24 in the Season 2 semifinals of the Rugby Premier League at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad, on Saturday, 27 June, setting up a title clash against Mumbai Dreamers. The victory, hard-fought until the final whistle, sends the Heroes into their first RPL final since the inaugural season.
Key Developments
Taitaifono Tavita struck within the opening minute as Hyderabad's wide-play strategy paid immediate dividends. Chennai Bulls hit back through Marika Koroibete, who powered through the middle to briefly put the Bulls ahead. Tavita then completed a brace down the left wing, before Maurice Longbottom's elusive running unlocked space for Ravuama Seruvakula to extend the lead.
How Hyderabad Closed It Out
Chennai refused to fold, clawing back to within two points and keeping the contest alive deep into the second half. Captain Manuel Moreno led the Heroes' response, personally narrowing the gap before Hyderabad regrouped. With composure under pressure, the Heroes recycled possession patiently until Sambit Pradhan burst through for the decisive try. Diego Ardao then controlled possession expertly in the dying moments to confirm the 29-24 victory.
What the Winning Camp Said
'It feels really good to clear the hurdle from last year. Full credit to our coach, DJ Forbes, and the entire squad for playing the brand of rugby that we set out to play right from day one. We go again tomorrow and give it our all as a team,' said Manuel Moreno, captain of the Hyderabad Heroes.
Head Coach DJ Forbes acknowledged the margin of difficulty: 'We were really tested in the semis, so I'm hoping the boys will be well prepared for everything that comes at them tomorrow. We definitely made it hard on ourselves, so if we can tidy up a few errors, we will definitely give ourselves a chance. Anything can happen, as was witnessed in both semis. There's not much separating the teams, but when we execute the basics and limit our errors, we can play some quality sevens. I'm excited for the boys, and they deserve to be in the final.'
The Road to the Final
The other semifinal also produced a close contest, with Mumbai Dreamers advancing to face Hyderabad in the Season 2 decider. Both finalists earned their places through tight margins, underscoring the competitive depth of the league in its second year. Notably, Hyderabad's ability to execute in the closing stages — limiting errors and recycling possession — will be the key variable heading into the final.
What's Next
The Rugby Premier League Season 2 final is scheduled for Sunday, 28 June, at Gachibowli Stadium. Hyderabad Heroes will need to sharpen their error count if they are to overcome Mumbai Dreamers and claim the title.
Point of View
And the Heroes' error count will need to drop sharply if they are to beat Mumbai Dreamers in a final. What the semifinal did reveal is that Hyderabad's width-first sevens philosophy is effective but fragile under sustained middle-channel pressure, exactly the kind Chennai applied in the second half. DJ Forbes' candour about self-inflicted difficulty is refreshing, but candour alone does not win finals. The bigger story here may be the Rugby Premier League itself: two close semifinals in Season 2 suggest the league is building genuine competitive parity, which is the only foundation on which Indian rugby can grow a broadcast and fan base.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the Hyderabad Heroes vs Chennai Bulls semifinal?
Hyderabad Heroes defeated Chennai Bulls 29-24 in the Rugby Premier League Season 2 semifinal on 27 June at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad. The match was closely contested, with Chennai pulling to within two points before Hyderabad sealed the win in the closing stages.
Who are Hyderabad Heroes facing in the Rugby Premier League Season 2 final?
Hyderabad Heroes will face Mumbai Dreamers in the Season 2 final, scheduled for 28 June at Gachibowli Stadium, Hyderabad. Mumbai Dreamers advanced through the other semifinal.
Who were the key try-scorers for Hyderabad Heroes?
Taitaifono Tavita scored twice for Hyderabad, including a try within the opening minute. Ravuama Seruvakula and Sambit Pradhan also crossed, with Pradhan's try proving decisive. Diego Ardao controlled possession expertly in the final moments to secure the result.
What did Hyderabad Heroes coach DJ Forbes say after the semifinal win?
Head Coach DJ Forbes acknowledged the match was tougher than ideal, saying the team 'made it hard on themselves' but expressed confidence that tidying up errors would give them a strong chance in the final. He described himself as 'excited for the boys' ahead of the title decider.
Where is the Rugby Premier League Season 2 final being held?
The Rugby Premier League Season 2 final is being held at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on 28 June. The same venue hosted the semifinal between Hyderabad Heroes and Chennai Bulls.
