NRL What’s the Buzz: Kangaroos v All Blacks exhibition game unlikely to happen in 2020
Rugby league fans wanting to watch the proposed historic Kangaroos-All Blacks hybrid game will be forced to dig deep with pay-per-view network’s set to broadcast the match — if it even goes ahead.
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Footy fans will be slugged $50 to watch a proposed Kangaroos v All Blacks match on a pay-per-view network, just like a major fight or UFC event.
Promoters need the television sales, worth about $6 million, to pay the NRL and New Zealand Rugby Union $8 million each to take part.
The Main Event-style coverage will face legal issues because free-to-air broadcaster Channel 9 has the rights to all international rugby league. There is also the potential backlash to consider — the case of many footy fans struggling in the COVID-19 environment to even put food on the table, let alone having to pay to watch an exhibition game.
Even with the pay-per-view sales, it is doubtful the game will go ahead this year.
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Promoters also need $6 million from the Queensland government and tourism to meet their budget.
This is highly unlikely with the state’s borders closed and the fact the game will not attract interstate or overseas visitors.
Also, the government will only allow maximum crowds of 25,000 at Suncorp.
There is more chance of a 2021 fixture, but not necessarily in Brisbane.
NSW’s new stadiums boss Tony Shepherd is on record as saying he wants to attract more big-time sports to Sydney. He can offer ANZ Stadium and the opportunity to sell 85,000 tickets — 30,000 more than Suncorp.
However, the biggest hurdle is the NRL clubs. Many of them believe they have no obligation to release their stars unless it is for State of Origin or international rugby league events.
MISTAKE OVER MENINGA
Rugby league Immortal Mal Meninga is often mistaken for being Indigenous. In 2008 a panel of historians and experts sat down to name the greatest Indigenous side of all-time.
Big Mal was chosen in the centres, even given a commemorative jersey along with the rest of the team. Then every player was contacted before the team was publicly revealed. Meninga ruled himself out.
The Kangaroos and Maroons legend is very proudly of South Sea Island descent, his ancestors coming to Australia from Tanna, in the Vanuatu island group.
At least they found a handy replacement … none other than Greg Inglis.
FIGHT TICKET FRENZY
There’s been a surge in interest for the Jeff Horn v Tim Tszyu fight in Townsville on August 26 despite the COVID crisis and Queensland borders have closed again.
“Ticket sales have been brilliant and corporate sales out of this world,” said co-promoter Dean Lonergan, “Considering the circumstances it is going outstanding.”
Horn’s highest rating fight on pay per view was 71,000 against Anthony Mundine.
The fight with Tszyu could get more than that, judging by the early interest.
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NRL’S HIRING AND FIRING
Spare a thought for the dozens of NRL staff members who are about to lose their jobs as part of COVID-19 cost-cutting at Moore Park.
They will more than likely go into Christmas unemployed.
These are good people with plenty to offer but the game simply can’t afford their salaries.
This is one of the reasons your columnist is filthy that Peter V’landys is sacking staff to save costs but then hiring columnist, commentator, podcaster and wannabe player agent Phil Gould as his highly paid consultant.
News that Gould will be involved in pathways is a shock to the NSWRL and the QRL, the two organisations responsible for all junior rugby league football and development.
No-one has bothered to tell them Gould is coming on board.
BOYS DON’T CRY
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have a long history of starting under-18 rookies in first grade.
Jimmy Serdaris, 17, Scott Wilson, 16, Paul Mellor, 16, Graham Lyons, 16, all started under the coaching of George Piggins and handled it well.
The outcry over Joseph Suaalii playing before he is 18 is ridiculous. If he had gone to rugby union he would have played for the Waratahs this year and the Wallabies against the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup.
FOCUS ON SNOOPER
Channel 9 “paparazzi” footage of Roosters boss Nick Politis at a private meeting with Sonny Bill Williams’ agent Khoder Nasser has created a possible legal showdown.
The pair had breakfast in a Rushcutters Bay cafe last week and were secretly filmed on a mobile telephone from inside the shop.
Under COVID-19 rules, anyone entering the cafe had to leave their name and phone number.
This is how the man responsible was tracked down.
The next day staff rang the number of the person … and it turned out to be a cameraman.
Under privacy laws, pictures or videos can only be taken from outside the cafe.
IKIN FORCED TO OUTFOX BORDER CLOSURES
NRL 360 host Ben Ikin will relocate to Sydney indefinitely following the closure of Queensland’s borders.
Even residents who have been in Sydney face two weeks in isolation on their return.
Ikin will drive to Sydney on Sunday to stay in a serviced apartment, possibly until November. He says it’s tough on his family but it needs to happen.
“There’s a lot of families in worse situations,” Ikin said, “I remain employed. You just accept that you’ve got to fulfil your responsibilities at work.”
Fox Sports’ other Queensland-based commentators, Gorden Tallis, Kevvy Walters, Justin Hodges and Corey Parker, will remain north of the border.
They will cover Queensland games from the commentary box at venues.
Manoeuvring commentators has been a challenge around the world during COVID. A baseball game in New York last week covered by a caller in Denver and an analyst in Los Angeles.