RPL Season 2: Hyderabad Heroes top group stage, set up Bulls semi-final

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RPL Season 2: Hyderabad Heroes top group stage, set up Bulls semi-final

Synopsis

Delhi Redz overturned a 12-point deficit in the final quarter to beat Bengaluru Bravehearts 35-33 in the day's standout moment, while Hyderabad Heroes wrapped up the RPL Season 2 group stage as unbeaten table-toppers with a 28-0 shutout of Kolkata. Sunday's semi-finals are set — and the path to the final runs through Hyderabad.

Key Takeaways

Hyderabad Heroes finished RPL Season 2 group stage as table-toppers after a 28-0 win over Kolkata Banga Tigers on 27 June .
Mumbai Dreamers defeated Chennai Bulls 19-12 , with tries from Prince Khatri , James Turner , and Sebastiaan Jobb .
Delhi Redz pulled off a dramatic 35-33 comeback against Bengaluru Bravehearts , overturning a 12-point deficit in the final quarter.
Deepak Punia converted the decisive try to complete Delhi's fightback.
Semi-finals on Sunday : Hyderabad Heroes vs Chennai Bulls and Bengaluru Bravehearts vs Mumbai Dreamers .

Hyderabad Heroes finished the Rugby Premier League (RPL) Season 2 group stage as table-toppers on 27 June, booking a semi-final berth against Chennai Bulls after a commanding 28-0 shutout of Kolkata Banga Tigers at the Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad. The final day of group fixtures also saw Mumbai Dreamers edge Chennai Bulls 19-12 and Delhi Redz pull off a dramatic 35-33 comeback win over Bengaluru Bravehearts.

Hyderabad Heroes Dominate Kolkata 28-0

Hyderabad Heroes imposed themselves from the first whistle with high-tempo attack and quick ball movement that stretched the Kolkata Banga Tigers' defence across the park. Sumit Roy opened the scoring within minutes, before Ravuama Seruvakula sold a clever dummy on the left wing to double the advantage.

Crisp passing and clinical use of space continued to trouble Kolkata through the second quarter, with Kevin Wekesa breaking through after sustained pressure. Maurice Longbottom extended the lead early in the third quarter, and Hyderabad's disciplined defensive line held firm throughout, completing a dominant shutout to finish the group stage untroubled.

Mumbai Dreamers Edge Chennai Bulls 19-12

Mumbai Dreamers seized control early through aggressive defence and sharp attacking transitions. Prince Khatri and James Turner crossed over in the first quarter to establish a healthy lead, before Sebastiaan Jobb sprinted down the right wing after the restart to extend it further.

Chennai Bulls gradually found their rhythm through improved possession, with Hidayat Jerffrydin breaking through on the right and Marcus Kershaw finishing a swift move down the left wing to narrow the gap to seven. Mumbai, however, remained composed in the closing stages, denying Chennai any clear route back into the contest to seal a 19-12 victory.

Delhi Redz Pull Off 35-33 Thriller Against Bengaluru

The most dramatic match of the day saw Delhi Redz overturn a 12-point deficit in the final quarter to stun Bengaluru Bravehearts 35-33. Kitiona Vai gave Bengaluru a flying start with a try within seconds of kick-off, but Delhi responded by spreading the ball wide for Samuel Asati to finish a well-worked move.

Akuila Rokolisoa restored Bengaluru's advantage with a blistering run, and Vai added his second from a slick passing move in the second quarter. Javed Hussain kept Delhi in touch, but Shilton Wyk's clever kick-and-chase and Rokolisoa's second try appeared to put the Bravehearts firmly in command entering the final quarter.

Delhi's fightback was ignited by Gonzalez from the left wing, before Josep Serres narrowed the gap with another finish out wide. Jon Okeyo capitalised on a turnover to score on the counterattack, and Deepak Punia held his nerve to convert the decisive try and complete one of the competition's most dramatic reversals. Despite the loss, Bengaluru Bravehearts advance to the semi-finals, where they will face Mumbai Dreamers on Sunday.

Semi-Final Line-Up

Sunday's semi-finals pit Hyderabad Heroes against Chennai Bulls and Bengaluru Bravehearts against Mumbai Dreamers. Hyderabad enter as clear favourites after their unblemished group-stage display, while the Bengaluru-Mumbai clash promises a tighter contest given the Dreamers' clinical showing against the Bulls earlier in the day.

Point of View

But the Delhi-Bengaluru thriller is the story that defines this competition's character — rugby at its most unpredictable, with a 12-point swing in a single quarter. The RPL is still building its audience in India, and matches like the Redz comeback are exactly the kind of content that converts casual viewers into fans. The semi-final draw is well-balanced: Hyderabad's defensive solidity against Chennai's improving attack, and a Bengaluru-Mumbai rematch that could go either way. Whether the league can sustain this momentum beyond the knockout rounds — in terms of viewership and grassroots growth — is the longer question Indian rugby needs answered.
NationPress
27 Jun 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who topped the RPL Season 2 group stage?
Hyderabad Heroes finished the Rugby Premier League Season 2 group stage as table-toppers after defeating Kolkata Banga Tigers 28-0 on 27 June. They face Chennai Bulls in the first semi-final on Sunday.
What are the RPL Season 2 semi-final match-ups?
The two semi-finals on Sunday pit Hyderabad Heroes against Chennai Bulls and Bengaluru Bravehearts against Mumbai Dreamers. Both matches are expected to be held at the Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
How did Delhi Redz beat Bengaluru Bravehearts?
Delhi Redz trailed by 12 points entering the final quarter before staging a dramatic comeback, with tries from Gonzalez, Josep Serres, and Jon Okeyo. Deepak Punia converted the decisive try to seal a 35-33 victory.
Who scored for Mumbai Dreamers against Chennai Bulls?
Prince Khatri and James Turner crossed over in the first quarter, with Sebastiaan Jobb adding a third try after the restart. Mumbai won 19-12, with Chennai scoring through Hidayat Jerffrydin and Marcus Kershaw.
Where were the RPL Season 2 group stage matches played?
The final day of group stage fixtures was played at the Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad on 27 June.
Nation Press
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