[mkdf_dropcaps type=”normal” color=”#f55549″ background_color=””]F[/mkdf_dropcaps]
ollowing the announcement from Rugby Australia of a new broadcast agreement with Nine and Stan, the 2021 Super Rugby AU season has been revealed, with 22 games over 12 weekends, starting February 19.
The 2021 Super Rugby AU Final is scheduled for May 8, with the team that finishes top of the ladder after the 10-round regular season facing off against the winner of a two-versus-three Qualifying Final.
All 22 matches in the tournament will be streamed live and ad-free on Stan’s new sport streaming package, which was recently announced, Stan Sport.
One match from each round, along with the Finals series, will also be live, free-to-air on the Nine Network, with Rugby Australia revealing they are also working closely with New Zealand Rugby on a new trans-Tasman competition and plan to announce the details in the coming weeks.
Rugby Australia interim chief executive, Rob Clarke, said the competition reveal and broadcast partnership announcement is a great sign for the future of Super Rugby.
“What a way to start 2021 and our new partnership with Stan and Nine,” Clarke said.
“Our players are raring to go and are really keen to put on a show for fans, with Super Rugby AU to light up living rooms right around the country.
“Super Rugby AU was terrific in 2020 and will get better next year as this next crop of Australian Rugby stars continue to develop, and they are complimented by some genuinely talented international players who have since arrived on our shores.
“The 2021 season promises to be a great one for Australians fans with every game in primetime and with the added support of our new partners, Stan and Nine,” he said.
Stan CEO, Mike Sneesby, said: “this partnership with Rugby Australia will see Stan launch its live streaming capability in 2021, as we take Australian sports television into a new era.
“Through the combined audience reach and engagement across Nine’s television platforms, we are well positioned to bring rugby union to more Australians than ever before,” Sneesby said.
On the launch of the Stan Sport platform, which Nine hopes will be able to add other sports offerings on top of the Rugby Australia deal, Nine CEO, Hugh Marks, said Nine will now be able to deliver a “whole of television” approach to sports.
“The launch of Stan Sport is a bold expansion for Mike Sneesby and the team at Stan, to sit alongside our hugely successful Stan entertainment offering,” Marks said.
“We will bring all our collective expertise from decades of experience in live sport broadcasting to deliver the best possible outcomes for viewers, rights holders, and the growth ambitions of the sports we partner with.
“At Stan, we are focused on bringing Australians the best local, international and original programming, which has seen our audience reach significant scale.
“Today’s announcement will see us extend that offering through the launch of our live streaming capability, bringing live sport to Stan in 2021 and opening up a range of new programming opportunities.
“Our partnership with Rugby Australia is the perfect place to start this new business,” he said.
