Rugby League during RWC

Rugby League takes on the Rugby World Cup

I don't believe it; a major world sporting event and the major televison network covering it has no new technology gimmick to use.

Swimming has seen the introduction of the yellow world record line across the pool, cricket has put cameras in the batsman's helmet but all Channel 7 has for us here in Australia is a Slow Motion Replay with a few arrows. I suppose I should be happy. A few years ago they tried to use a graphic for the penalty kicks involving an arrow from the ball to the uprights... as if there was anything else that the kicker aimed at.

I've found the other channels' offerings more interesting. Lots of Simpsons re-runs on Channel 10 to take on the Opening Ceremony, the ABC (modelled on the BBC) is showing regular programming, but advertising their radio coverage of the World Cup, and everyone is advertising digital TV, saying the Rugby would look fantastic on the new technology which is yet to take off in Oz.

What I found fascinating though was the Rugby League Test on Saturday, at 2.30pm, before the Rugby World Cup match started, and shown without adverts. I was amused because I didn't even see it in the programmes. The Australian Kangaroos were thrashed by New Zealand's Kiwi's. Now I find that the leaguies are trying to take on the rah-rahs by playing three Tests in Britain on the same days as the quarter finals, semis and grand final in Sydney.

Good to see the rivalry between codes isn't dead yet, and for those of us who will be suffering oval ball withdrawal after the pool matches this could be just the boost.

By the way, in case you were interested, some people think that this year is the Brits' best chance to beat the Kangaroos in over a decade.

Mardo Gray, for 2K Plus International Sports Media


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