Sport | Rugby league |
---|---|
Instituted | 2008 |
Inaugural season | 2008 |
Ceased | 2017 |
Replaced by | Jersey Flegg Cup Hastings Deering Colts |
Number of teams | 16 |
Countries | Australia (15 teams) New Zealand (1 team) |
Premiers | Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (2017) |
Most titles | New Zealand Warriors (3 titles) |
Website | Official Holden Cup website |
Broadcast partner |
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Related competition | National Rugby League Jersey Flegg Cup Hastings Deering Colts |
The NRL Under-20s (known commercially as the Holden Cup due to sponsorship from Holden) was the top league of professional rugby league for players aged 20 years or younger in Australasia. Contested by sixteen teams, the Under-20s competition commenced in 2008 and was originally known as the Toyota Cup.[1] The competition runs parallel to Australasia's professional competition, the National Rugby League, with NYC matches played immediately prior to the NRL games.[2] Similar to the NRL, the NYC enforces a salary cap and puts a heavy focus on life outside football for the players.[3]
The New Zealand Warriors were the most successful club in the competition's short history, with three premierships from four Grand Final appearances; in 2010, 2011 and 2014. In 2018, the NRL Under-20s was replaced by state-based under-20s competitions in New South Wales and Queensland.[4]