Rugby fans will be able to see every match in the second edition of the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship thanks to unprecedented coverage by FOX SPORTS.
As per in 2014, there will be weekly Thursday night match broadcast live on Fox Sports as part of an extended rugby programming schedule alongside Rugby HQ. Today the ARU and FOX SPORTS announced that the three remaining matches each weekend will now be live streamed on foxsports.com.au, as well as being available on Apple TV via FOX SPORTS Now.
The step is a massive boost for the fledgling competition which thrilled a hard core fan base in its inaugural year, but is crying out for more viewers moving forward.
Access to the live stream will be free for existing Foxtel subscribers, with a Fox Sports package, as well as digital subscribers through News Corp. A stand alone digital package will be available for those without the above existing subscriptions.
With the NRC to travel to 22 different grounds across Australia, this is a substantial commitment by Fox Sports and an indication of the quality they see in the competition. All games will have a multi-camera broadcasts with full commentary demonstrating that Fox don’t intend on doing this half-arsed.
With on-line broadcasting of sporting events becoming and increasing solution for air time, the ARU’s General Manager – Professional Rugby was suitable chuffed by the development.
“The NRC is a fantastic chance for Australian Rugby fans to watch both current superstars and future stars of the game on their own doorstep. The TVC reflects both the hard work these players put in off the pitch while also the fun that can had at an NRC game.
“We’re all excited at the prospect of the 2015 NRC being unleashed to a bigger audience than last year. Fans now have the opportunity to watch all 39 games through FOX SPORTS various platforms.”
Fans will also be able to catch up on missed game via the NRC web site (buildcorpnrc.com.au) within 24 hours of post-match, which means there are basically no excuses for fans to not be able to enjoy the NRC this year.
The announcement is another confirmation of the growing status of the Buildcorp NRC in the Australian Rugby landscape. It comes on the back of the reveal yesterday that a Ranfurley Shield type of competition will also be introduced into the tournament this year. Keen readers of G&GR (and listeners to the podcast) will know that we have been leading the way with the development of this initiative and we are thrilled that the ARU are running with it. Some final details are still be ticked off but it is expected to be launched next week and will be another way to create and build interest in the NRC.
Whatever shape the shield takes, it is recognition of the passion and foresight of the Green and Gold Rugby fraternity that the concept is now a reality.
The Buildcorp NRC kicks off on Thursday 20 August with a Grand Final replay between Brisbane City and the Perth Spirit. The match will obviously be telecast live from Ballymore by Fox Sports.
