27 October to 2 December 2017
The Seven Network today confirmed its key anchor, commentary and special analysts team for its all-encompassing coverage of this year’s Rugby League World Cup and the Women’s Rugby League World Cup from 27 October to 2 December 2017.
Announcing the team, Seven’s Head of Sport, Saul Shtein, said: “We’re delighted to be the network of this year’s Rugby League World Cup and the Women’s Rugby League World Cup. We are also delighted to have secured such an outstanding group of people who will bring both Cups to millions not only here in Australia but around the world. We are looking forward to being a partner with the Rugby League World Cup and the Women’s Rugby League World Cup. Both will be a remarkable. And broadcast live in our primetime.”
Seven’s coverage will be hosted by Jim Wilson and Laurie Daley. Also joining Seven’s coverage will be Renee Gartner and Allana Ferguson.
Play-by-play commentators for the Rugby League World Cup 2017 are: Mark Braybrook, Andrew Moore and Dan Ginnane. Joining them are: Allanna Ferguson, Gary Belcher, Adrian Morley, Brett Kimmorley, Ryan Girdler, Scott Sattler, Brent Tate and Andrew Ryan. Glen Larmer will be our ball-by-ball caller alongside Daryl Halligan and Monty Betham in New Zealand. Covering the Women’s Rugby League World Cup are: David Tapp, Drury Forbes, Bill Harrigan, Nathan Cayless, Andrew Ryan and Renee Gartner.
Mel McLaughlin, Michelle Bishop, Josh Massoud, Liam Cox, Shane Webcke, Pat Welsh and Chris Garry from Seven News also join Seven’s Rugby League World Cup and Women’s Rugby League World Cup team.
Commenting, Kurt Burnette, Seven’s Chief Revenue Officer and Event Director, Rugby League World Cup 2017, Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, said: “The Rugby League World Cup, live in primetime on Seven, underlines the power of television in delivering big audiences and powering the conversation and audience across all screens through video.
“An Australian and global audience will see the best in the world compete in our primetime. We have the best in the business to deliver an outstanding coverage. The Rugby League World Cup is the starting point for a remarkable six months of major sports events on Seven, including the Melbourne Cup, the major golf tournaments in Australia, the Australian Open Tennis, the Olympic Winter Games, the Commonwealth Games and the 2018 AFL season all in our timezone. This will be the largest premium events schedule on a single television network this country has ever seen, across every screen to all Australians.”
Seven’s agreement for the Rugby League World Cup 2017 delivers all rights in Australia including free-to-air broadcast television and subscription television rights, online, mobile, and expands to Seven’s digital and mobile platforms. Seven has also been appointed to undertake the host broadcast for international television of all games played in Australia in the Rugby League World Cup.
###The Team: Snapshot Profiles
Gary Belcher – prolific try-scoring fullback, capped 15 times for Kangaroos, 16 Origins with Queensland and 148 club games with Canberra Raiders. He is a two-time Premiership winner with the Raiders (1989–90), a three- time Dally M Fullback of the Year, played 6 World Cup matches for Australia and has been involved in rugby league broadcasting since his retirement in 1993.
Mark Braybrook – highly-regarded TV and radio caller with over 25 years’ experience in rugby league broadcasting. Mark’s family is steeped in the sport; father, Denis, was a former first-grade referee and grandfather, Garnet, was a member of Newtown’s 1933 Premiership side scoring a try against St George in the final. Mark has called AFL, Rugby Union and Soccer Internationals, hosted commercial radio coverage at five Olympics and recently commentated gold-medal performances from the Australian women’s rugby team and shooter Catherine Skinner at Rio 2016 for Seven.
Nathan Cayless - former New Zealand Test captain who led the Kiwis to Rugby League World Cup glory in 2008 and former captain of the Parramatta Eels. Current reserve-grade coach at Parramatta.
Laurie Daley — one of the most decorated players at club, state and international level. He made his first-grade debut at just 17, and his international debut before his 21st birthday. He captained NSW in State of Origin 13 times, playing in five series wins. He is the current NSW coach. Laurie played 26 Tests for Australia, including seven as captain. At club level, he played 244 first-grade games for the Canberra Raiders, winning three premierships.
Allana Ferguson — one of the stars of Australia’s rugby league women’s side, and one of the first women to sign a professional playing contract, lining up with the Cronulla Sharks. She was selected to play in Australia’s 2016 Rio Olympics women’s rugby sevens side but injury prevented her from competing. A PE teacher at Woolooware High School, Allana is passionate about rugby league and developing the women’s game in Australia. She will provide expert analysis on both the men’s and women’s Rugby League World Cup as part of the Seven team.
Drury Forbes - former Newtown Jets player, former Fox Sports NSW Cup sideline commentator. Current AFL caller on ABC Grandstand.
Renee Gartner - daughter of former top winger Russel Gartner, and a sports commentator on multiple networks over an extended period. Part-time boxer.
Dan Ginnane – the lead rugby league caller on commercial FM radio since 2009, including State of Origins and NRL Grand Finals. Dan’s experience extends to calling Olympics, NFL Super Bowl, Wimbledon, Masters golf, Wallabies Tests and hosting a nightly sports talk show.
Ryan Girdler — NRL premiership winning player, NSW and Australian representative and now a commentator across radio and TV. Ryan played for the Illawarra Steelers and the Penrith Panthers, winning the 2003 premiership with the Panthers. In all, he played 227 first-grade games, 10 games for NSW and 14 times for Australia as a goalkicking centre.
Bill Harrigan - arguably the greatest NRL referee of all time. Current Triple M commentator who also runs the game of Oztag nationally.
Brett Kimmorley – diminutive halfback, capped 22 times for Australia, 10 Origins for New South Wales and 307 first-grade games. Noddy, as he’s affectionately known, starred in Australia’s 2000 World Cup Final win (40-12) over New Zealand at Old Trafford. He won the Clive Churchill Medal in Melbourne Storm’s first-ever NRL title success in 1999. As Dally M halfback of the Year in 2000, he was instrumental in leading NSW to their most- recent 3-0 Origin series clean sweep against Queensland.
Andrew Moore – an accomplished rugby league caller on radio since 1994, Andrew has commentated on more than 40 State of Origins and hosted primetime TV panel shows. His versatility is proven, calling many major international events such as World Cup qualifier soccer matches, golf, tennis and AFL.
Adrian Morley – destructive forward, capped 30 times for Great Britain and 17 times for England between 1996 and 2012. Morley represented England in the 2000 and 2008 World Cup tournaments. Morley was the first player to win both an NRL (Sydney Roosters, 2002) and Super League (Bradford Bulls, 2005) title. In all, Morley played nearly 500 club games across Super League and the NRL, appeared in three consecutive NRL Grand Finals and was named 2010 Rugby League International Federation Prop of the Year.
Andrew Ryan – relentless back-rower, capped 11 times for the Kangaroos, 12 Origins with New South Wales and 291 NRL club games. He captained the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs to a premiership win over the Roosters in 2004, won back-to-back State of Origin series with the NSW Blues in 2004–05 and was a powerful force in the Kangaroos’ Tri-Nations triumphs in 2004 and 2006. Current NRL ambassador, NRL commentator on ABC Grandstand and former Fox Sports expert.
Scott Sattler – tireless backrower, played 203 first-grade games and is best known for his 2003 Grand Final heroics with premiership winners Penrith Panthers. Sattler turned the momentum of the decider with a famous try-saving tackle on Sydney Roosters winger Todd Byrne. Son of South Sydney legend, John Sattler, Scott represented Queensland at Origin level and has been working in sports media since retiring from the NRL in 2004.
David Tapp - rugby league commentator/producer with more than 20 years’ experience on radio and television. Former CEO of South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Brent Tate – resilient centre, capped 26 times for the Kangaroos, played 23 State of Origins with Queensland and 229 NRL games. Tate won a premiership with Brisbane Broncos in 2006. He was named man-of-the-match in game three of the 2013 Origin series, which extended Queensland’s record winning streak to eight series. Tate represented Australia in seven matches across the 2008 and 2013 World Cup tournaments.
Jim Wilson –Seven News Sydney’s Sports Director. A self-described “sports nut” and rugby league fanatic, Jim grew up on Queensland’s Gold Coast and has worked as a journalist for more than 20 years, starting as a cadet at Brisbane’s Courier Mail. During his career as a sports journalist, Jim has covered some of the most significant sporting events of recent times including seven Olympic Games, the State of Origin series, the British Open golf, World Cup soccer and AFL Grand Finals. Jim has been part of the Seven Sports team since 1992, holding senior correspondent and reporter positions in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
