Viewers are set for an epic Easter weekend of NRL action, starting when Nine’s Wide World of Sports gives the rugby league faithful a blockbuster Good Friday double-header.

At 3.30pm AEST tomorrow, Nine presents LIVE and FREE, across the nation, the Bulldogs- Rabbitohs clash at ANZ Stadium – their traditional Easter showdown.

This is a game for both clubs to confirm their premiership credentials after an up-and-down start to the season.

Nine’s NRL expert Brad Fittler says: “I look forward to this game every year because it is always a pretty spiteful clash. I think it has a lot to do with English internationals James Graham of the Bulldogs and Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs going up against each other. For some reason it brings out the best in them.

“Two years ago this game boiled over and it wouldn’t surprise me if it happens again. The Doggies have had a resurrection of their own in the last two weeks and shifted Brett Morris to fullback, which I think is a good move by coach Des Hasler.”  

Fittler’s player to watch is Cody Walker: “He’s been doing it all, setting up tries and scoring tries. He has stepped up since Greg Inglis suffered a long-term knee injury in round one and he has really impressed me, so expect more of the same on Good Friday.”

After the full time whistle in Sydney, Nine will take viewers to Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane for the local derby between the Broncos and Titans from 7.30pm AEST. 

The Broncos took the shackles off their attack last week and will be out to keep it going against the Titans, who field a big forward pack and the creative halves combination of Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey.

The Broncos have proven they have a strong defensive line. The Titans will need patience if they’re to crack it, while staying wary of dangermen James Roberts, Anthony Milford and Sam Thaiday, who can all cause headaches for the visitors. 

On Sunday Afternoon Football, the Sharks, the defending premiers, make the trip to Pepper Stadium to tame the youthful exuberance of the Panthers.

The Sharks showed they still have what it takes with a gritty away win against the Storm last week, but will face a Panthers side who can pile on the points in an instant and were tipped as early favourites to take the Sharks’ premiership crown this season.

Captain Matt Moylan returns to the delight of fans and will need a big game against a Sharks outfit with representative stars including James Maloney, Jack Bird and Wade Graham.  

Broadcast Times

Friday, April 14
Bulldogs vs Rabbitohs

Sydney 3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 3.30pm LIVE on Nine 
Melbourne 3.30pm LIVE on 9GEM 
Adelaide 3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 1.30pm LIVE on 9GEM

Broncos vs Titans

Sydney 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 7.30pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 7.30pm LIVE on 9GEM
Adelaide 7.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth 5.30pm LIVE on 9GEM

Sunday, April 16
Panthers vs Sharks

Sydney                    3.30pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane                  3.30pm LIVE on Nine 
Melbourne               3.30pm LIVE on 9GEM 
Adelaide                  3.00pm LIVE on 9GEM
Perth                        1.30pm LIVE on 9GEM

RUGBY LEAGUE ACTION THIS WEEK ON NINE

• SIX TACKLES WITH GUS – Today. Nine’s James Bracey talks the biggest rugby league issues of the week with NRL legend and expert commentator Phil Gould on Six Tackles with Gus. This week: Player salary inflation, Referees and some advice for the Tigers

Podcast available for download here: Round 7 – Six Tackles with Gus

• THE NRL FOOTY SHOW – Tonight, Thursday, April 13 at 8.30pm AEST LIVE. 
Fatty Vautin, Erin Molan, Beau Ryan and Darryl Brohman return at the special time of 8.30.
Brad Fittler and Johnathan Thurston join the show LIVE. See what Beau gets up too when he pays Vin Diesel and Charlize Theron a visit ahead of The Fate of the Furious, and prepare to fall in love with a 12-year-old boy who has devoted his life to learning the history of our great game.
Available LIVE in every city across the country on 9NOW 

• SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday, April 16, at 10.00am AEST, LIVE on Nine. Frank and open debate on all the big issues in the week of sport. This week Adam MacDougall and Candice Warner join the show alongside Peter FitzSimons, Neil Breen and Emma Freedman.

• THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW – Sunday, April 16, at 11.00am AEST, LIVE on Nine. Our experts dissect all the action so far in round seven, with special guests Billy Slater and Allana Ferguson joining Andrew Johns and James Bracey.

 

For further information:

Ryley McKay

Nine Network Publicity

02 9965 2727

 

 

Thursday, 13 April 2017