Leigh’s Edwin Ipape on ‘dark places’ and learning to play rugby with glass bottles

Of the 34 men who will take the field at Wembley in this year’s Challenge Cup final, none have the story or have experienced the kind of journey that Edwin Ipape has.

Born in Papua New Guinea’s Mount Hagen, in the mountainous Western Highlands, the 24-year-old has overcome countless obstacles to make it in professional rugby league.

Growing up in one of the poorest countries in the world, where crime and unemployment are rife, and in an exceptionally large family as well, even just being fed each day was no certainty.

“My mum would do 15 or 16 plates every day, she did a really hard job to feed all of us and keep us happy,” the hooker explained. “There was a lot of boys, 14/15 siblings in the family.”

What sustained him in those early days was a love of the 13-man code, in a country where rugby league is king. When Ipape’s family often couldn’t afford to buy a rugby ball for him to play with, he would use soft drink bottles instead.

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“When we didn’t have any balls we used to put glass or stuff in containers, like Coke bottles, and use it as a rugby league ball to play. As a young kid growing up I always wanted to play footy. When I was 18, 19 coming up I knew I could make something out of it.”

Ipape rose through the local ranks and after an outstanding performance for his country in 2019, in a famous Kumuls defeat of Great Britain, he earned a trial with NRL club Manly.

When a full-time contract didn’t materialise, he then joined the PNG Hunters, in the Queensland Cup. The forward appeared on his way until he was suddenly cast aside by the Hunters.

“They said I wasn’t good enough. I was out, back at home with my mum and wife and kids, I didn’t know what to do next for two months. That was the worst I’ve felt in a long time.

“But I see it as a blessing, that was the thing that kept me really grounded and I took this opportunity and it made me who I am today.”

Thankfully a Papua New Guinean legend in Adrian Lam came calling and the chance to join Leigh Leopards in the Championship materialised. Ipape grabbed it with both hands and has not looked back, first helping the Leopards secure promotion to Super League.

Last year he was named Championship player of the year and in the World Cup team of the tournament, after helping his country reach the quarter-finals. This year his rise and rise has continued, helping Leigh into third place and into their first Cup final since 1971, where they play Hull Kingston Rovers on Saturday.

“It feels pretty awesome,” Ipape admits. “There’s been ups and downs throughout my career, just to be able to come back from some dark places and to be at the very top, to play in the Challenge Cup final… it hasn’t sunk in.”

It hasn’t been all plain sailing in England, as Ipape battled homesickness in a country nearly 9,000 miles away. He missed the births of his two children but has admirably been supported by his coach and club.

“I had some times last year where I really wanted to go back home, but the situation wouldn’t allow me,” he concedes. “It’s been very tough as I’ve missed out on a lot of things like birthdays. I didn’t see both my kids when they were born in hospital, that was tough.”

But Ipape is now seeing the fruits of his work. The Leopards are riding high in Super League and have the chance to lift their first Challenge Cup in 52 years. Ipape has become a role model in Papua New Guinea and can achieve legendary status in Leigh.

“I’m happy to be in this position and have some influence in my community,” he says.

“It really inspires me. With that comes responsibility, knowing that kids are looking up to me as a role model. It helps me to stay grounded.

“We’ve got a lot of respect for Hull KR, they’re a very, very strong side. With the group of boys we’ve got here, we work hard for each other and care for each other. I think we’re in a really good position to compete for the Cup.”