Australian Rugby / RA

What chance is there that Twiggy gets RM Williams on as the new Wallabies jumper sponsor? Back in Australian hands, iconic brand could be a good fit.

Not everyone was thrilled by CVC's management of F1 before they sold it off. At the end of the day they (equity investors) are looking to buy into assets/ventures that they feel are undervalued which they can turn a profit on in the future. They're not charities after all. Org's like RA are really profit neutral in a sense as it all is meant to go back into the game, so the question is how much control, or future profit do you hand over for a cash injection today and do we have faith that it will be managed wisely to grow the game. It'll be interesting to see how the CVC aspect works out in UK/Euro.

The amount of money I would spend on a RM's Wallabies jersey is astronomical. Absolutely sick of these 'form' fitting jersey's that don't breathe. A cotton jersey with a collar is what will bring RA back in the black, I guarantee it.

Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere.
Sad news from Queensland.

Former Wallabies rugby union player and retired doctor Mick Barry has downed on the Gold Coast, according to reports.

The ex-Wallabies and Queensland Reds player, who also worked as an ear, nose and throat doctor, was 77 when he passed away.
According to the Courier Mail, Dr Barry got into difficulties while swimming at Currumbin Beach before 6am and was pulled from the water by members of the public who performed CPR until the paramedics arrived.
Dr Barry was an experienced swimmer and would reportedly go for a swim in the surf at dawn every day.
The former star played also played at halfback for Brisbane side Brothers and represented the Wallabies against South Africa in 1971.
He made his first appearance for Queensland against NSW in 1966 and also played against the British and Irish Lions and for the Junior Wallabies against the All Blacks.
(FoxSports 6th November)

And that is exactly what Kearns said, "we are probably fortunate to have them do it first to see how it goes."

Now are you sure you want it in the 'BLACK'

Liking the look of the Nine/Stan deal.

Ok I putting in my score now 9.5/10. I think broadcast deal is great news.

Solid 9/10 for me. I'm a happy camper.

Anyone got the inside word on the broadcast deal is for the international games?

100 mil for just the domestic side of the comp seems like a great deal. Think we should all tip our caps to Ralene Castle for sticking two fingers to Fox at the start of negotiations.

I think there’s a good chance they could get some good money for the international component, Super Rugby games were rating better figures in the UK then they were in Australia earlier this year. Unique circumstances with COVID, and lack of UK rugby at the time, but still pretty promising.

It includes International, including all incoming games for NZ and SA, as well as NZ and SA domestic rugby. I not sure if there some kind of payment to NZR and SA for the rights, which would certainly take a bit off it, but I think it looks a great outcome to me, and good to see the SH partners working together .

Yeah they get a 9/10 from me too. The only fault I can think of is canning the NRC, though if they rebooted it in a year or two, with the clubs on board as actual pathways, that'd be the perfect score.

Ok, I can see that being the case, so it's a very very good reason why the SANZAAR agreement is really good for us all, and let's hope it stays , regardless of the complaints about it from posters. And can see how some think that RA are on a good wicket there, they have no domestic league (NRC etc) to sell.

Apologies, I was confused with the original wording. Understand though that potentially more money to come for the International Broadcast rights to the Wallabies games which was apparently quite lucrative last time.

Super Rugby and Rugby Championship rights are both quite lucrative, however the SUper Rugby rights may not get as much this time given they aren't in the European prime-time-slot anymore, thats what South Africa brought to the party.

I thought it was the NZ timeslot that draws in the audience as the SA slot just clashes with their own product on offer. Even now with limited rugby in Europe SR in SA is getting as much attention as SRAU did (basically nothing), whereas NZ games (even when their rugby resumed) was drawing attention.

Nah both Aus and Kiwi SR averaged around similar figures for Sky TV during COVID, it was in the 80-120k bracket from what I read. Not sure if that’s any indicator. Kiwi matches are on around 6 am in the UK I believe.