A rugby league battle for the ages is set to play out on ANZAC Day when the competition-leading Dragons come under fire from the Roosters, LIVE and FREE on the Nine Network.

From 3.30pm AEST on Tuesday, Nine will give viewers unprecedented access inside Allianz Stadium with the best commentary team in the game covering this blockbuster.

Prior to the start of the season the Dragons were written off by all the experts, but they have fought their way past more fancied opponents through a brutal forward pack and the class of playmaker Gareth Widdop.

The Roosters have shown how lethal they can be and are a genuine premiership threat in 2017.

Nine’s NRL expert Phil Gould says: “The ANZAC Day match between the Roosters and Dragons is one of the highlights of the rugby league calendar. It’s a celebration of our ANZAC spirit and a clash between two of our game’s greatest rivals. 

“The Dragons deservedly lead the competition after seven rounds. The Roosters bounced back to form last weekend and look primed for this big-event confrontation.” 

Gould’s player to watch is Gareth Widdop: “He has really impressed me in 2017 with the leadership qualities he has displayed, as well as providing the polish to the Dragons attack that has rewarded the no-nonsense approach of their forward pack. Widdop will hold the keys to a win for the famous Red V.”

Getting the round underway will be two clubs with the largest supporter bases in the NRL: the Rabbitohs and the Broncos, on Friday Night Football at ANZ Stadium.

The Rabbitohs failed to fire against the Bulldogs last week while the Broncos stole a late victory thanks to speedster James Roberts. The Rabbitohs go into the match as underdogs but shouldn’t be underestimated with the commitment they can display behind their leader Sam Burgess, who has been cleared to play by the NRL judiciary.

On Sunday Afternoon Football, the Tigers, who have shown improvement under new coach Ivan Cleary, will be out to sink their claws into the resurgent Bulldogs who have proven the doubters wrong with three wins on the trot.

The Tigers’ off-contract stars James Tedesco and Aaron Woods have found form and won’t be afraid to chance their arm with representative season approaching, while the Bulldogs will follow the lead of Josh Reynolds and James Graham, who have been inspirational in recent weeks.  

Friday, April 21
Rabbitohs vs Broncos

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 23
Tigers vs Bulldogs

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

Tuesday, April 25
Roosters vs Dragons

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: Gareth Widdop and Josh Dugan off-contract, Kieran Foran, Player draft, Knights roster,  and Western Sydney derby scheduling. 

Podcast available for download here: Round 8 – Six Tackles with Gus

• THE NRL FOOTY SHOW – Tonight, April 20, at 8.30pm AEST LIVE. 
Fatty Vautin, Erin Molan, Beau Ryan and Darryl Brohman return with special guests Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday joining the show LIVE. Erin details a rugby league redemption story with former NRL star Danny Wicks after a stint in prison and walking away from his comeback with the Eels. Sizzling Away with Sam Thaiday visits James Maloney, and Beau Knows Berlin – and it gets very weird when he goes underground in the German capital.
Available LIVE in every city across the country on 9NOW 

• SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday, April 23, at 10.00am AEST, LIVE on Nine. Frank and open debate on all the big issues in the week of sport. This week Paul Gallen, Melinda Gainsford-Taylor, Richard Freedman and Neil Breen join Emma Freedman.

• THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW – Sunday, April 23, at 11.00am AEST, LIVE on Nine. Our experts deliver a special preview of the ANZAC Day game with Dragons hooker Cameron McInnes joining the panel LIVE in the studio alongside Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Adam MacDougall and James Bracey.
 
For further information:
Ryley McKay

Nine Network Publicity

02 9965 2727

Thursday, 20 April 2017