FANS THE FOCUS OF 2016 BUILDCORP NRC

Aug 24 • General News, International • 1562 Views • Comments Off on FANS THE FOCUS OF 2016 BUILDCORP NRC

Following today’s official launch of the 2016 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) season, players, coaches and fans are eagerly anticipating the competition’s kick off this Saturday, 27 August.

The third season of Australia’s premier national rugby competition will see eight teams race for Buildcorp NRC supremacy, as they compete at 14 locations across the country, including regional areas such as Tamworth and Orange in New South Wales, Frankston in Victoria and Toowoomba in Queensland.

This year, more fans than ever will be able to watch the action with FOX SPORTS to broadcast every 3pm (AEST) game live on Saturdays and Sundays, with the two remaining games (Saturday and Sunday at 1pm, AEST) available to stream live via foxsports.com.au, and FOX SPORTS NOW on Apple TV and Telstra TV.

The first two years of the Buildcorp NRC consistently delivered entertaining rugby with more than nine tries per match, and the action promises to continue in 2016 with eight talented teams lining up, including: reigning champions McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City, 2015 runners-up UC Vikings, Melbourne Rising, Perth Spirit, Bond University Queensland Country and the New South Wales triumvirate of the Macquarie University Sydney Rays, the Western Sydney Rams and the NSW Country Eagles.

In line with the NRC’s family-friendly approach, some marquee rounds this year will see rugby grounds around the country abuzz with plenty of off-field action too. For the Father’s Day round (Round 2 on 2-4 September), local schoolkids will be encouraged to treat their parents to a day out at the rugby, with hundreds of NRC tickets to be distributed to schools around NRC club catchment areas.

The Pacific Island Round (Round 7 on 8-9 October) is also set to light up the nation, as the eight NRC teams pay tribute to the important role that Pacific Islander communities play in the Australian Rugby community. The highlight of this round will be the ‘Pacific Final’ played after the Western Sydney Rams v Country Eagles fixture, which will be decided after matches between Tonga ACT, Tonga NSW, Maori NSW, Fiji NSW and Samoa NSW.

Buildcorp Managing Director Tony Sukkar said: “Buildcorp is excited to be entering the third year of our partnership with the NRC, as we prepare for another season of hard fought games and support even stronger teams. We’re proud that the competition is already achieving what it set out to do, with many players receiving their opportunity to progress to Super Rugby and the Wallabies. With these success stories, the Buildcorp NRC is becoming an essential part of the player pathway, helping to build a stronger legacy for the sport and ensuring Australia remains competitive internationally.”

ARU CEO Bill Pulver said: “Seeing contracted Super Rugby stars line up against and alongside up-and-coming club players in a variety of metropolitan and regional locations around Australia reinforces how important this competition is.

“The NRC showcases Australia’s best creative, running rugby around the country, provides a pathway for our most exciting young talent, and helps our Super Rugby stars push for national selection.”

“We thank our valued partner Buildcorp for their ongoing support of the National Rugby Championship. As a result of their support, the competition has continued to evolve into what is now one of the most exciting, spectator-friendly sporting competitions in the country.”

FOX SPORTS Head of Live Sport and News, Steve Crawley said: “The NRC delivers plenty of action and excitement, showcasing a stack of our best players and rising stars. Fans will be able to watch more live matches on TV in 2016, with FOX SPORTS broadcasting two matches every weekend and the remaining two games streamed live. It’s going to be great entertainment, and we can’t wait to get started.”

The 2016 NRC season will kick off in Perth as the Perth Spirit take on Melbourne Rising at 1.00pm AWST (11.00am AEST) on Saturday 27 August. Following that, back-to-back champions Brisbane City will take on the new-look NSW Country Eagles at Sydney University at 3.00pm AEST. On Sunday 28 August at 1.00pm AEST, an all-Sydney derby at North Sydney Oval will see the Western Sydney Rams take on the Sydney Rays, where former Australian and Fijian Sevens Olympians will line up against each other. The final match of Round 1 will see 2015 runners-up the UC Vikings play Queensland Country at Bond University at 3.00pm AEST.