New Zealand's Jamayne Isaako kicks a goal during the Rugby League test match in Denver. GETTY IMAGES
Rugby league's Denver test had a potential reach of 60 million households across the U.S. and Canada "after a landmark deal was struck" to show the game live across the CBS network, according to Adrian Proszenko of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The arrangement ensured England's clash with New Zealand provided "invaluable exposure to a potentially lucrative new market." Promoter Jason Moore said, "The CBS Sportsnet deal is a good one for the coverage of rugby league in North America, the USA and Canada. ... To get this game live throughout North America on a Saturday is a great win for us." Some critics "questioned the choice of Denver as the location" for one of league’s "boldest" expansion projects. Moore said that broadcast considerations "were one of the key factors," and the 2pm Saturday kickoff ensured it was a "watchable time across four key global markets." Moore: "A lot of people have said, 'Why Denver?' ... It's the best compromise you can get from a global, other-side-of-the-world play" (SMH, 6/22).
'EXPAND OR DIE': Proszenko also reported Peter Beattie, in his first address as chair of the Australian Rugby League, said that the game "must expand or die." It is a sentiment that does not apply to the Denver test, an event that "went ahead despite the NRL’s attempts to torpedo it." It was a "success in every regard but the hip pocket, where it really matters." It is understood Moore "took a significant hit financially," the result of a smaller-than-expected crowd of 19,320. England coach Wayne Bennett said, "Other codes don't have the product we have, they put themselves out there. We're the reverse. I just hope so many people watched this game in America today and they're looking at their TV guides to see when their next game of rugby league game is on, so they can watch it again." It "remains to be seen when they will get their chance." The NRL clubs are "against the fixture, fearful their most valuable assets will sustain injuries." The head office sided with the clubs, "branding the idea a bad one" because it did not think of it. Moore was able to bring two MLB teams, the L.A. Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, to Sydney in '14. Asked which was harder, achieving that feat or dealing with the NRL, Moore said, "I'd say that's an each-way bet." He predicted it was "more than likely" the teams would return to Denver for a rematch next year, but will "require help rather than hindrance to make it happen." He added, "Would we have liked more people? Yeah. But 19,320 is not bad for a place that has never seen this game before. If NRL clubs keep fishing in the same pond to get fish out of it, they will run out of fish. We need to find a bigger ocean to go to. And this is the ocean over here in the U.S." The players were the fixture's "biggest advocates." They are "content to have played their part in history" (SMH, 6/24).
