Edwin Ipape: The Rise of Papua New Guinea's Rugby League Sensation



Edwin Ipape is a rising star in the world of rugby league, and one of the brightest prospects to come out of Papua New Guinea in recent years. The 23-year-old hooker is currently playing for the Leigh Leopards in the Betfred Super League, and has already made a name for himself with his impressive performances on the field.

In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the life and career of Edwin Ipape, from his early days playing rugby league in Papua New Guinea to his current success in the Super League and beyond.


Early Life and Career

Edwin Ipape was born in Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea in 1999, and grew up in a family of rugby league players. His father and uncle both played rugby league, and they encouraged Edwin to take up the sport at a young age.

Ipape began playing rugby league as a child, and quickly showed a natural talent for the game. He played for several local teams in Papua New Guinea, and was eventually scouted by the PNG Hunters, the country's leading rugby league team.

In 2019, Ipape made his international debut for Papua New Guinea in the Oceania Cup, playing against Samoa. He quickly established himself as one of the team's key players, and was named in the squad for the Rugby League World Cup later that year.

Ipape's success on the international stage caught the attention of several Super League teams, and he was offered a train and trial contract with the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in 2020. Although he only played two games for the team, his performance caught the eye of Leigh Leopards coach Adrian Lam, who signed him to the team in 2022.


Rising Star in the Super League

Since joining the Leigh Leopards, Edwin Ipape has become a key player for the team, impressing fans and coaches with his skill and athleticism on the field. He has already scored several tries for the team, and has helped them to some important victories in the Betfred Super League.

Ipape's success in the Super League has also earned him further recognition on the international stage. In October 2022, he was named in the Papua New Guinea squad for the Rugby League World Cup, and was later named in the 2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament.

Ipape's rise to success in the rugby league world is a testament to his talent and dedication, as well as the growing strength of rugby league in Papua New Guinea. As more and more players from the country are discovered and given the opportunity to play at the highest levels, the future of the sport in Papua New Guinea looks brighter than ever.


Beyond Rugby League


Although rugby league is a huge part of Edwin Ipape's life, it's not the only thing he's passionate about. In interviews, he has spoken about his love for his family and his desire to help others in his community.

Ipape has also been involved in several charity initiatives in Papua New Guinea, including a campaign to provide food and supplies to families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He has used his platform as a rugby league player to raise awareness of these issues, and to encourage others to get involved and make a difference in their communities.


Looking to the Future

As Edwin Ipape continues to make his mark on the rugby league world, fans and pundits alike are excited to see what the future holds for him. With his talent, dedication, and passion for the sport, there's no doubt that he has the potential to become one of the greats of the game.

But Ipape is also focused on making a positive impact off the field, and using his success to help others.


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Sources

1. "Papua New Guinea's Rugby League Sensation Edwin Ipape Signs For LRaphael Leai Solomon Islands soccer star story- Signs contract with a European Soccer Clubeigh Centurions" - Rugby Football League (https://www.rugby-league.com/article/60561/papua-new-guineas-rugby-league-sensation-edwin-ipape-signs-for-leigh-centurions)

2. "Edwin Ipape and the PNG Hunters, a match made in heaven" - The Sydney Morning Herald (https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/edwin-ipape-and-the-png-hunters-a-match-made-in-heaven-20220926-p5b7mt.html)

3. "Rugby League World Cup: Papua New Guinea name squad including Edwin Ipape and Justin Olam" - BBC Sport (https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/63202587)

4. "PNG stars plan to help community post RLWC" - NRL.com (https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/11/07/png-stars-plan-to-help-community-post-rlwc/)

5. "Edwin Ipape named in Rugby League World Cup Team of the Tournament" - Love Rugby League (https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/edwin-ipape-named-in-rugby-league-world-cup-team-of-the-tournament/)





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