GEM to broadcast the Bledisloe Cup game live

Australian Rugby Union today announced the Qantas Wallabies Bledisloe Cup and Castrol Edge Tri Nations blockbuster against the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday evening will be shown live around the country on Fox Sports, and nationwide on free-to-air through Channel Nine or the Nine Network’s Digital Channel GEM (Channel 90).



Channel Nine will telecast the Test live in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin. However, for the first time since 2005, Rugby fans in Melbourne and Adelaide will also have the opportunity to watch the highly anticipated clash between the trans-Tasman rivals live through the Nine Network’s free-to-air Digital channel.



The GEM coverage will start at 5:30pm on Saturday evening, Australian Eastern Standard Time.



The Nine Network’s decision to show the Test on GEM (Channel 90) provides yet another option for Rugby fans to watch or listen to the match with ARU’s broadcast partner Fox Sports showing the first hit-out between the Qantas Wallabies and All Blacks in 2011 live and un-interrupted from 5:30pm AET while ABC Radio and Triple-M will also cover the match.



ARU Managing Director and CEO, John O’Neill, said the Nine Network’s decision to show the Bledisloe Cup live across Australia, on top of the national coverage provided by Fox Sports, was good news for Rugby fans around the country.



“It’s pleasing to confirm that GEM will carry the game in Melbourne and Adelaide,” Mr O’Neill said.



“The last time supporters across Australia had the opportunity en masse to watch a domestic Test live via free-to-air was in 2005.



“I want to thank Channel Nine and Fox Sports for delivering an outcome that benefits Rugby fans all over Australia.



“Having the first Bledisloe Test of 2011 live across Australia on free-to-air, through Channel Nine in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Darwin and through GEM in Melbourne and Adelaide, is a step in the right direction and something ARU has been working closely on with our broadcast partners Fox Sports and Channel Nine.



“We will continue to work cooperatively with our partners to ensure the best broadcast outcomes for Rugby fans across the country.”



Fans in Hobart and Canberra will also have the opportunity to watch the game live on WIN, while viewers outside their capital city’s metro area are encouraged to check their local guides for exact broadcast details.

I think they should be thanking all those who campaigned on the WWOS Facebook page for the last 2 months they are the ones who got this to happen not the ARU!!! Lets just hope this continues with the rest of the Tri-Nations and the WC!

It was already scheduled to be televised live in Perth because of the early nature of the game here in WA. The trick is to see if they do it again for the return Bledisloe in a couple of week and show it on GEM here in WA. I loved when the Wide World of Sports Facebook page trotted out that Rugby is only a growing game in Vic, WA and SA - it's not going to f**king grow if the games are televised so bloody late!

A live rugby broadcast in Perth..... We should enjoy it while it lasts.

And I'm on a plane back from HKG - thank goodness for IQ.
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