Seven to cover all 28 games of 2013 Rugby League World Cup on digital channel 7mate
YES yes yes yes yes … you won't be hearing Channel Nine's Phil Gould calling the games at the Rugby League World Cup.
Channel Seven on Wednesday confirmed they will cover all 28 World Cup rugby league games on digital channel, 7mate.
Seven will host matches from its Sydney studio but take English commentary from the BBC.
It will be the first time Seven has covered rugby league for 21 years.
Seven has a rich history telecasting rugby league, broadcasting NSWRL games – with legendary Rex Mossop as chief caller - between 1971 and 1981.
The network also covered the 1992 World Cup in England.
Former Fox Sports presenter Ryan Phelan will anchor the Australian coverage with guest experts Matt King, Nathan Fien and Nigel Vagana.
King will analyse Australian games, Fien will cover New Zealand matches, while Vagana will assist with Pacific Island Tests.
The tournament culminates with the World Cup final from Old Trafford at 1am AEDT on Sunday, December 1.
A 30-minute pre-game show will precede every game.
Seven’s head of sport, Saul Shtein, said: "We’re delighted to be broadcasting rugby league at such a significant global event when the best players in the world get a chance to represent their country.
"It only serves to underline Seven’s commitment to covering the best sports, live and free."
Rugby League International Federation chairman Scott Carter added: "With the quality of players across the 14 nations, the 2013 Rugby League World Cup is set to be a fantastic tournament, watched by millions of people around the world.
The Kangaroos finalise their Rugby League World Cup preparations with a gruelling final training session at Kogarah as they search for World Cup redemption.
Italy and the US will take part in the World Cup for the first time.
"Fifty years since the Kangaroos first won an Ashes series in the UK, Tim Sheens and the team are determined to win back the World Cup from New Zealand," said NRL head of football, Todd Greenberg.
"Seven has made a major commitment to keeping fans in touch with all the action and there will certainly be plenty of highlights over the course of the event."
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