After a brief hiatus (two weeks), rugby league returned to free-to-air TV, but on a different channel.
The blockbuster opening fixture of the Rugby League World Cup between the Australian Kangaroos and New Zealand Kiwis was broadcasted on Seven to a total TV national reach of 3.3 million people and a total TV national average audience of 1.7 million.
Seven must have been delighted with the intense, thrilling game the two top nations put on.
The Kiwis came out of the blocks flying scoring a miraculous try in the opening three minutes of the match. A conversion from the side-line of the boot of Jamayne Isaako silenced the Australian crowd.
Unfortunately for the visitors, it could not capitalise on the early momentum, gifting the Australians with two intercept tries against the run of play.
Teams would go into the sheds at half-time locked up at 10-a-piece.
The second half quickly turned into the Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga show as the two star fullbacks went head-to-head in one of the best battles footy fans have ever seen. Both of them scored brilliant individual tries in an attempt to win the match for their nations.
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It was the Kangaroos off the back of Walsh who got the chocolates in the end. The home team clinched a clinical 24-22 win in the first game of the World Cup.
Australian debutant Jack Bostock was another stand-out, scoring three tries in Australia’s two point victory.
Over on Nine — the broadcaster of the NRL — its most watched entertainment program of the evening was Tipping Point. The gameshow pulled in a reach of 1.3 million people and an average audience of 713,000.
