Rugby World Cup 2015: guide

FOX Sports has unveiled its plans for the Rugby World Cup, with Live coverage of all 48 matches, in High Definition on a dedicated 24/7 Rugby channel from mid September.

It will also feature a brand new series called Rugby Legends and a revamped Rugby HQ.

On Monday 14 September at 6.30pm EST, FOX Sports 502 will become the home of the RWC 2015 with Live coverage of every match, extensive pre and post-game coverage, a slate of entertainment shows plus a brand new series.

The FOX Sports Rugby channel will be available for free to Foxtel sports subscribers as part of their existing package.

FOX Sports CEO, Patrick Delany, said: “This is a huge win for Rugby fans. Not only will viewers get to watch every match of the Wallabies and the other 19 nations compete for the Webb Ellis Trophy but they will be treated to the biggest and most dynamic coverage available.

“We are throwing everything at the Rugby World Cup and from September 14, when our dedicated channel switches on, we will be the home to Rugby’s showpiece event.

“From the most extensive TV coverage available to being the official Australian digital publisher, we will deliver the event across every platform with the only Australian team on ground capturing all the hype and excitement as London hosts the biggest sporting event of the year.

“The Aussie spirit is the essence that pushes us to go for it and never give up. On the world sporting stage it has allowed us to punch above our weight time and time again.

“It carried us through the World Cup in 1991 and 1999 and in 2015, it’s time to believe in that Aussie spirit again and in the Wallabies,” Mr Delany said.

Fronting FOX Sports’ unparalleled coverage will be Australia’s most experienced Rugby commentary team which boast a combined 393 Wallabies Tests and 62 World Cup Games across eight World Cups. The game’s number one voice, Greg Clark, will lead the team who will be on ground hosting from London alongside John Eales, George Gregan, Phil Kearns, Tim Horan, Greg Martin, Rod Kafer and Nick McArdle.

FOX Sports’ Live match broadcast will be complemented with extensive pre and post-match coverage, a range of new programming including two additional shows, a brand new series called ‘Rugby Legends’ and a revamped Rugby HQ from location to keep fans informed and entertained across the tournament.

Kicking off on Monday nights at 8.30pm, ‘World Cup Weekly’ will provide unrivalled access into the Wallabies, Springboks and All Blacks camps as the three Rugby powerhouses team up to take viewers behind enemy lines.

Springbok Joel Stransky All Blacks legend Jeff Wilson and Rugby HQ’s McArdle will share hosting duties alongside a rotating panel of experts including Gregan.

A revamped ‘Rugby HQ’ will hit the road for the RWC 2015, with host McArdle joined by Rugby royalty each Friday at 7.30pm to deliver a comprehensive look at the teams and players.

On Sunday at 7.30pm, the all new ‘Cup Runneth Over’ will showcase the colour, buzz and brilliance of the RWC delivering plenty of laughs along the way. FOX Sports’ Sean Maloney will take the hosting chair with former greats joining him each week at FOX Sports HQ.

FOX Sports will also launch ‘Rugby Legends’; a revealing 10-part documentary series with some of the game’s biggest names where no topic is off limits.

Presented by one of Australia’s most respected sports journalists, Tim Sheridan, Rugby Legends delves into the Lives and stories of our favourite players including David Campese, Bob Skinstad, Justin Marshall, Stransky, Wilson, Eales, Kearns, Horan and Gregan.

FOX Sports will be the official Australian digital publisher delivering extensive coverage and video highlights around the clock across every screen and every device offering access anytime, anywhere.

The ultimate RWC 2015 foxsports.com.au destination will offer the most respected opinion and insight, all the latest news, Live scores and statistics on the purpose-built Match Centre plus fans can see and analysis potential match-ups via the Tournament Predictor.

FOX Sports News 500 will provide round-the-clock coverage with dedicated segments after each Wallabies match and throughout the Finals. Plus European Correspondent Daniel Garb will be on ground with the Wallabies deLivering all the latest from camp.

FOX Sports’ RWC 2015 Coverage:
 The only place to see all 48 matches Live in HD, with no ad-breaks during play.
 A 24-hour dedicated Rugby channel.
 Dedicated channel launches on FOX Sports 502 at 6.30pm on Monday 14 September.
 Extensive pre and post-match coverage; an additional two entertainment shows (World Cup Weekly & Cup Runneth Over) and a new Rugby series (Rugby Legends).
 Rugby HQ direct from London.
 The only Australian commentary team on the ground in England.
 Australia’s most experienced commentary team including John Eales, George Gregan, Phil Kearns, Tim Horan, Greg Martin, Rod Kafer and Greg Clark; featuring five members of the Wallabies 1999 World Cup winning squad (Eales, Kearns, Gregan, Kafer, Horan).
 Extensive coverage and video highlights as Australia’s official digital publisher.
 Foxsports.com.au RWC 2015 dedicated section plus a suite of complementary digital products.
 Round-the-clock FOX Sports News 500 coverage.

Key Broadcast Times:

Sat 19 Sep Opening Ceremony Live 3.30am
Sat 19 Sep Opening Match – England v Fiji Live 5.00am
Thu 24 Sep Australia v Fiji Live 1.00am
Sun 27 Sep Australia v Uruguay Live 8.00pm
Sat 4 Oct Australia v England Live 5.15am
Sat 11 Oct Australia v Wales Live 2.15am
Sat 18 Oct Quarter Final 1 (Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D) Live 1.00am
Sat 18 Oct Quarter Final 2 (Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A) Live 5.45am
Sun 18 Oct Quarter Final 3 (Winner Pool D v Runner-up Pool C) Live 10.45pm
Mon 19 Oct Quarter Final 4 (Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B) Live 5.00am
Sun 25 Oct Semi Final 1 (Winner QF1 v Winner QF2) Live 1.00am
Mon 26 Oct Semi Final 2 (Winner QF3 v Winner QF4) Live 2.00am
Sat 31 Oct Bronze Final Live 6.15am
Sun 1 Nov Final Live 2.00am

*All times listed in AEST