Tuesday’s rugby news has the new TV deal, some much-needed support for Link, Sevens recruitment and a streaker story.
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TV deal offers more bad news
Australian rugby has been dealt another blow this week, this time off the field as the figures for the new SANZAR broadcasting deal come to light. While the deal is reportedly increasing from $175 million to $200 million over five years, little of this change will be felt at the level of domestic rights.
The ARU also failed to attract any free-to-air interest in broadcasting the Super Rugby, with Fox Sports and Ten retaining the rights. This was to be expected though with estimates that Fox Sports ratings for Super Rugby fell 10 per cent this year.
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Horwill confident
Former Wallabies captain James Horwill has publicly backed coach Ewen McKenzie amongst the criticism levelled after the team’s 21-17 loss to Argentina. Although the Wallabies are winless in their six matches against the All-Blacks under McKenzie, Horwill believes that the Wallabies can turn things around under their current leadership structure.
“He’s a very good coach and we’ve seen that; results don’t lie,” he said. “We just need to keep working.” The Wallabies host the All Blacks in Brisbane on October 18.
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Sevens going after code-hoppers
Australian Sevens coach Geraint John will seek out a number of rugby league players as preparations build for the Rio Olympics. John has named the 13 man squad to play in the Rio Olympic qualifying tournament but has said that the door would be open for code-hoppers like former NRL flyer Shannon Walker
John confirmed he hoped to hold a series of invitation-only trials for Sevens hopefuls in November or December. “Plenty of names are being bandied around,” John said, adding, “We welcome players from all codes.”
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Streaker on the wing
In the doom and gloom of the Wallabies loss, there is some space for this surreal story. In a British University game, a streaker has run onto the field smoking a pipe and made a covering tackle on the wing. After a brawl ensued, the man ran off while the officials were preoccupied.
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