The IRB’s Total Rugby on pay TV is the best ‘football’ program on television and it must be shown on Free to Air TV in Australia. I have just finished watching the most recent show covering a game between Finland and Estonia on their quest to qualify for the European Cup.
They were playing in a beautifully manicured field in the middle of a forest, with make-shift goal posts made from soccer goals in front of a handful of spectators. The rugby, admitted shown as highlights, was surprisingly good.
You got a sense of how much work the IRB is doing to grow rugby in new regions. It was great to watch.
We were then treated to highlights from the South African Curry Cup and a preview of Heineken Cup matches in Europe. Watching the passion and the size of the crowds at these matches were amazing.
The rugby highlights were incredibly entertaining.
I watched excerpts from New Zealand’s ITM cup. Although the crowds were modest, the rugby was electric. We were given a glimpse into the life of the up and coming star of New Zealand rugby, Julian Savea, the player of the tournament at this year’s U/20 World Cup.
The show is the perfect balance of action and feel good stories.
It’s a quality show.
No one is dressing up in dresses, trying to crack puerile jokes or stuffing around. It’s about the game.
In Australia, the only ‘football’ show that comes close to this in quality is On the Couch. It’s a completely different style of show, but a show about the game for people who want to learn about the game.
Many in Australian rugby are pessimistic about the game. I agree that Australia can do more domestically to make rugby the best it can be here, but there is a bigger world out there and rugby is thriving.
Treat yourself, watch the show and lift your spirits. If you don’t have pay TV you can access the shows or on Youtube. The show I referred to in this post should be uploaded shortly.
In 2011, Channel 9 will have a one hour highlights package on Super Rugby. This is an excellent initiative.
Although most rugby fans would like a full game shown on Free to Air TV most of us understand the need to get the maximum dollar from the pay TV deal and a highlights package is a reasonable compromise. In addition to this program, it’s imperative for the ARU to work with the IRB and get Total Rugby on at a decent time slot on Free to Air TV in Australia.
It’s a great show and will quench some of the thirst that Australian rugby fans have for the game.
allblackfan
Guest
I said they show every game (unlike last year). I also acknowledged that they had already shown one game delayed this season. And I am miffed by the fact that they chose to show the NZ-Samoa RL friendly over the Welling-Taranaki game (as were my mates who also came down to watch the game). That change wasn't even on their online TV Guide last time I checked (hate the new look website) Nevertheless, the majority of games have been shown live this year. A big improvement compared to last year.
otagobeef
Guest
allblackfan. tomorrow at 12:35 NZ time. The mighty Otago will take on the Jafas (Auckland). And do fox sports plan to show this live I ask you, based on your comments that fox show every game live. The short answer is NO. Fox instead at 9:30am are showing live EPL (understandable), fox 2 is showing HAL U19 (fair enough), and fox 3 has golf????? Not live golf, however but the USLPGA CVS challenge rnd 3????????? Whatever this is. Oh but they are showing the game at 3:30pm. Yippy no less than 6 hours after the game has started. And they also didnt show the wellington vs taranaki game. They are showing this at 10:00. And only a half hour highlights show. sorry all times are in Queensland time.
Gato Grande
Guest
Great call, Spiro. SBS would be the perfect place for Total Rugby. Same day, same time each week. In Aust, I need to go looking for it as it times/ days always seem to vary. Having lived in all corners of the globe, I've watched this show for years. Everytime I see it, it reminds me what I truely love about the game and the things it sets it apart from all other sports.
Dave
Guest
fox also show the school boys test match between nz and australia live. wish they could have a rugby channel. maybe email them won't hurt but i suppose they will have to pay for all the different leagues from around the world on the rugby channel. haven't had much sleep this weekend been watching the heinken cup and amlin cup all live on setanta sports.
allblackfan
Guest
Here's a thought: Hopefully Nine can pick up delayed coverage of the ITM Cup next year the same way they do with Super League from England. They could run a Thursday or Friday night game late Saturday!
allblackfan
Guest
That was last year. There are three fox channels; did it occur to you check the other channels this year? I've watched a lot of the games this season. There's a live game on Thursday (Fox 3); live game on Friday at 5.30pm (even when the NRL was on) on Fox 3 or 1, 11am or 12.30pm start on Saturdays on Fox 3 and 12.30pm or 2.30pm start Sundays (Aust time) of course. Don't believe me. Check out the Fox Footy TV Guide on their website And fox can't show AB-England games from NH because Setanta holds the rights to English Rugby games. By the way -- that Southland-Canterbury RS clash on Saturday (5.30pm, Fox 1) was a classic!! 14,500 people at Invercagill turned up for a classic (just about a soldout)
otagobeef
Guest
That haven't shown every game live. When the NRL was on they would only show a game at 12:30. Then go to the U20's cup. fox would then show the games at eleven and one that night. Since the NRL has finished, Fox are also now showing the prematch programme. And what for it as Fox for some reason never shows when the All Blacks vs England
allblackfan
Guest
the ITM Cup this season has been live (bar one, last week) and they've shown every game. There's a Thursday game, Friday game 2-3 Saturdays and 2-3 Sundays.
cookie
Guest
It's funny that the tv mob quote that they don't show rugby because of ratings.. How are we meant to watch it if you never show it? Please a rugby channel! Even if it's just one from overseas...were starved here!
Oakie
Guest
Spiro,I agree SBS would be ideal, they did have a rugby programme back in the 90's I think it was called the World Of Rugby, who's to say that they wouldn't be open to it again, without a doubt it would rate well, but how would someone be able to present this idea to them ? thats the problem with all the great ideas I read from the people on this site there is no vehicle or voice for what the Aust Rugby public want, by that I mean having some of these ideas put in front of the people who can make things happen, maybe thats where you could help, being in the media n'all, cheers!
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Totally agree about Gordon Bray. Hopefully he will move to 9 after all 2 + 7 = 9.
otagobeef
Guest
Congats to Fox for their effort with rugby??? Please you are kidding surely. Until the NRL and AFL season is finished they show no interest in showing the ITM cup live, and only show programs like total rugby at insane hours of the morning. Fox insist on showing either tennis, baseball, or an AFL comments shows on Friday evenings instead of showing live ITM cup. Its not hard for Fox to do a good showing of rugby, but tha'ts because they are the only bench mark in Australia. Compare this to other countries, and see how they front up. Fox please let us have the rugby channel from NZ. You are about to provide us with a motorsport channel called SPEED very soon. Isn't this channel from the US? So why cant i have the option of getting an overseas rugby channel. Just a idea. until then i will watch my rugby online.
Dave
Guest
Great show that. The first time I watched was a couple of years ago when they showed one school 1st XV game in Sri Lanka played in front of over 10,000 and another in front of 15,000 fans. Always love the development stories in many countries and the hard work done by those who love the game.
The all new King of the Gorganites
Guest
Cheers for the heads up. i wish Sydney had some of the grounds those Germans play on. looked in brillant condition. This was a great heads up about the IRB channel. i have lots of catching up.
Next year!
Guest
With Seven finishing up and the coverage moving to Nine does anyone know what is happening with the commemtary team - in particular Gordon Bray . I understand Tim Horan has signed with Fox but have not heard anything about Gordon Bray. I gotta say a Wallabies test without Gordon Bray commentating is kinda like Sydney without a Harbour !
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Spiro If you tune into eurosports on fox you can also get the French top 14, which is also pretty good.
Kiwikool
Guest
I just finished watching the show, It's great! I love seeing stories of small rugby nations trying to grow the game. Rugby crowds are huge in Europe too... I would love to see a Rugby Club World Cup challenge with super vs H cup teams.
p.Tah
Guest
I agree Spiro, Fox provides rugby a great service. On top of those tournmants you've listed I've also enjoyed the IRB U/20s world cup in Argentina, The Pacific Nations cup and the Australian school boys versus the New Zealand school boys match that was played earlier this week. I don't know what I'd do without them. .. and now the sycophantic comment. I've read so many of your columns. Its strange to think you read and commented on one of my posts. Quite cool really :)
AndyS
Guest
Have to agree, most of all with the observations regarding On the Couch. I only take a passing interest in AFL these days, but envy them that show above all. Easily the best football program in the country and I wish Rugby had something anything like as good.
Crashy
Guest
yeah I enjoyed last week's episode. The story about the massive Currie Cup prop was funny. The bloke was deadset 150 kilos