NRL 2021: Broncos upset win over Roosters proves real ratings winner for Fox Sports and Kayo

As if the talents of Joseph Suaalii and Sam Walker weren’t enticing enough, the sniff of a potential Broncos upset drove viewers to Fox Sports in near record numbers last Saturday night.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 22: Payne Haas (L) and Tevita Pangai Junior (C) of the Broncos celebrate with Dale Copley (R) during the round 11 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos at Sydney Cricket Ground, on May 22, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Fans tuned in to watch Joseph Suaalii’s much-anticipated debut, but instead they were treated to a Broncos miracle in what has become the second highest rating game on Fox League of all time.

Brisbane’s 34-16 win over the Roosters last Saturday night was watched by 499,000 people across Foxtel and Kayo, catapulting it up into the record books.

The clash had fans eager to see how star playmaker Sam Walker would fare against the Broncos, while teen sensation Suaalii was named to ply his first game.

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The Broncos pulled off one of their great wins of recent times last Saturday night.

Fox League’s exclusive coverage also featured a Jake Friend farewell on a night when the underdog Brisbane side fought their way through to their third win of the year.

The match also saw Victor Radley placed on report four times and sent to the sin bin on two separate occasions.

Fox Sports executive director Steve Crawley said it was a blockbuster match many fans simply could not look away from.

“The underdog Broncos taking down a champion side in the Roosters and so much drama, it was impossible to look away,” Crawley said.

“It’s a great endorsement for the NRL and Fox League’s coverage.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Broncos upset win over Roosters proves real ratings winner for Fox Sports and Kayo