Those with a keen eye will have noticed a worrying omission from the TV guide – there is no mention of the Wallabies versus England match this weekend on free-to-air via usual broadcaster Network Ten.
While the Barbarians versus Wallabies was also not broadcast on free-to-air, this is a Test match, and arguably the biggest game for the Australians on their end of year tour.
The Australian Rugby Union website states only the following: “Network Ten will be broadcasting all games except for the Barbarians and English matches” – and that’s all.
Fox Sports will be the sole broadcaster showing the game live, from 1:30am on Sunday morning.
The Roar has contacted the ARU for comment, and will be live blogging the match from 1am.
Update: A spokesperson for the ARU has provided an update – stating that the decision is made by Network Ten, rather than the peak body.
“All Test matches on home soil are broadcast live on free to air television (currently through Network Ten).
“We aim to ensure our fans have easy access to all Wallaby matches, including those played overseas. However, on this occasion Network Ten has been unable to secure the broadcast rights for the Australia v England at Twickenham.
“We would love to see all Wallaby matches broadcast live on free to air and subscription television, and will continue to push for the broadest possible coverage of Rugby on Australian TV.”
Network Ten, contacted late on Saturday, explained they did not have the rights for the match:
“Network Ten is not broadcasting the final game of the Wallabies Spring Tour – Australia v England. Unfortunately, we do not have the rights to broadcast this match.”
martin
Guest
when you are existing on a pension( which I am not by the way ) I would like to see you pay for it on the piddling amount the gov pays
martin
Guest
agree ,how hopeless are they -It should at least been replayed the next day
martin
Guest
you will be wanting Australians to pay for a TV license next
Linzam
Guest
Actually in most other countries, people accept that professional sport needs to be paid for and if you want to watch it, then you pay a subscription to pay TV, or buy a ticket. Only in Australia is there this ridiculous idea that certain sport has to be free. I hate watching free to air games filled with ads and hate Australia's anti-siphoning laws.
miked
Guest
I'm watching NFL live in HD on free to air. What does that say about. Rugby's place in the pecking order?
William
Guest
Basketball Australia is talking to FOX Sports, 7Sport, WWOS9 and TENSportTV. It should go to Ten and FOX Sports
Mango Jack
Guest
LOL!
Mango Jack
Guest
Who other than ABC will show Shute Shield? Another nail in the coffin..
Mango Jack
Guest
What a fecking joke this is. Of all the test matches of the NH tour, this was the most anticipated, and 3/4 of viewers don't get the chance to see it, even in replay. Honestly, I despair about rugby. Forever consigned to 3rd or 4th tier football code, I'm afraid.
William
Guest
THE ARU had nothing to do with this. Each deal is sold separately as ARU negotiate the June Test Series, Rugby Championship, Super Rugby, Shute Shield and NRC. The IRB negotiate the Rugby World Cups and the Spring Tour game is sold separately. Yes there is Super Rugby, we don't know if NRC will be on FTA in 2016 but there is talk that it might be, Shute Shield is in negotiation with several broadcasters, there will be International Rugby as Ten will finalise the deal very soon
Willam
Guest
@conor - you are correct as Nine have the rights to RWC in 2015 and not 10 as RWC is sold differently as it is sold by IRB.
Willam
Guest
But Ten don't have the rights to RWC as Nine do
Margaret Wilson
Guest
Please put all available matches on air. My husband has missed out on the Wallabies vs England. This is extreme cruelty to wives of old rugby players.
30mm tags
Guest
Daws, the cost of Foxtel with the sports pack is now less than $ 12 per week. If you want the sports pack and don't take the other options , eg movies or the History channel, it's only $12 a week or $50 per month.
Dex
Guest
Doesn't surprise me really I'm a West Australian and we're used to our great game being non existent, another game not televised or another squandered moment just leads to more people moving away from the game, our loss and rugby's loss. Onya 10 and onya ARU for not remonstrating the importance of this issue- sorry back to your pinon noirs ARU didn't mean to disturb.
Tom G
Guest
Yet another disgraceful Pulver cock up. His career is highlighted by one piece of stupidity followed by another... I am not sure if the Game is strong enough to survive this wrecking ball. How is this out of touch elitist still in a job?? As for Hawker, he needs to stop recruiting from his year 12 yearbook and run the place like a business
Peter the grape
Guest
It's a disgrace. Decision made by the broadcaster and not the ARU?? Give me a break. Whoever signed off on a deal like that should be frog marched out of the building. In fact the whole ARU should be sacked, they have no idea. How do they expect to "grow the brand" if people can't watch the games. AFL has free-to-air 3 days a week. NRL has live Friday night games and Sunday games free-to-air. Rugby Union: nothing, zilch, zero. No Super 15, no ARC, no club rugby, now no International rugby. Find someone who has a clue to run the show. PS Well done the Roar for highlighting this scandal, can't find a single mention of it on any other rugby web site.
peter hughes
Guest
I blame ARU 100% for this debacle. They should not now or ever have given a free to air contract to Channel 10. And the contract they signed does not even guarantee Wallaby matches will be presented - live or delayed. Channel 10 have always been Australia's worst, least trust worthy & most erratic presenters of sport. Common knowledge they'll do if they feel like it and the coverage quality will always be cheap charlie & pathetic. The commentary is insultingly poor, full of adverts during play & usually at 3:30 am. No Super (or Test Rugby) rugby free to air is KILLING the game in Australia and giving a maybe contract to the least trustworthy network in Australia is total MADNESS imo. All past & present free to air contracts should have been given to the ABC. ARU must get Super Rugby on free to air some how ARU are naive fools & are killing the game in Aust imo. ARU are also incredibly DUMB in fixing our lack of forward power problems - now a long term Achilles heel. Relax the foreign player import rule & order ALL our Super provinces to buy min 4 each front row, hookers & locks from ARGENTINA. Do this and in 5 yrs W's will be consistently No 1 in world. This easy fix has been staring us in the face for 10 yrs but we're too DUMB to see it.
Ted D
Guest
Aussie Rugby supports ignored again by Ten. Shame on Ten TV. It was a bloody test match between Aust. and England for Gods sake. What no $$$ in it for you Ten. Sincerely hope the ARU remember this when the TV Rights contracts are next negotiated.
Johnny
Guest
RIP Rugby Union in Australia Out of sight out of mind Ever wonder why you always get flyers in your mail box, they actually work Only 87000 registered players and declining Who is responsible for this