Southern Snub for Bledisloe Cup clash

The ARU has today expressed its extreme disappointment with Channel Seven in Melbourne and Adelaide for their decision to broadcast this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup match at 12:05am.

ARU CEO and Managing Director Gary Flowers said the decision was robbing hundreds of thousands of Rugby fans of the chance to see the Wallabies take on the All Blacks in one of biggest sporting events of the year.

“The Bledisloe Cup is one of the most anticipated events on Australia’s sporting calendar, but Channel Seven in Melbourne and Adelaide have decided to broadcast the match at five minutes past midnight,” Flowers said.

“Instead of showing the match live, they are showing the umpteenth re-run of the Sound of Music.

“It is extremely disappointing for the ARU because we have worked very closely with the State Unions and the State Governments, and we have been very successful in growing the game in Victoria and South Australia.

“We have been taking annual Test matches to Melbourne for the past decade, and every year the appetite for the game grows. You only have to look at the world record crowd that was set for the Commonwealth Games Sevens to realise there is a hunger for Rugby in Melbourne.

“It is just unfortunate that our own free-to-air broadcaster does not have the same level of commitment to growing the game.

“This is extremely frustrating for fans who have every right to be angry with Channel Seven. It was disappointing enough that the match was originally scheduled for 10:30pm, but to push it to after midnight is insulting.

“I can only encourage Rugby fans to call Channel Seven in Melbourne and Adelaide and make their voice heard.

“We have a very good relationship with Channel Seven management and normally we would not speak out publicly against them. However, in this case, we could not let our disappointment go unspoken.”

The big clash can be seen Live nationally on Fox Sports Two from 7:00pm (AEST).

Channel 7 Coverage:
LIVE in Sydney and Brisbane from 7:30pm AEST
Delay in Perth from 7:30pm (WA)
Delay in Melbourne and Adelaide from 12:05am (local time).