At last! The 2020 NRL season is back on Nine with three highly anticipated blockbuster clashes headlining Round 3.

Tonight on Macca’s Thursday Night Footy, the Broncos host the Parramatta Eels at Suncorp Stadium in a huge season opener to the season restart. The Eels are fancied as a premiership chance in 2020, but no team had a more impressive to start the year than the rampaging Broncos.

Young gun forward Payne Haas will lead the Broncos pack, which is bolstered by the return of Matt Lodge from injury. Brodie Croft will also be lining up to lead his new team around the park after succumbing to a shoulder injury back in Round 2.

The Eels, who have a great squad on paper, face their first true test of the season after early wins over the Bulldogs and Titans. With star halfback Mitchell Moses running the attack, big wingers Maika Sivo and Blake Ferguson will be hungry for four-pointers.

The oldest rivalry in rugby league reignites for its latest chapter on VB Friday Night Footy when the Sydney Roosters, the defending premiers, take on the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Bankwest Stadium. It’s 112 years into their storied feud, and Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell is facing his former club for the first time, eager to prove his critics wrong. His opposite number, fullback James Tedesco, will relish the chance to run at his old partner in crime as he terrorises the defence.

The Roosters, so far winless, welcome back captain Boyd Cordner from injury and are sweating on the fitness of international prop Siosiua Taukeiaho. For the Bunnies, Alex Johnston will be a handy replacement in a backline weakened by the suspension of Cody Walker.

Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy sees another brilliant match-up between the undefeated Panthers and Knights. The Knights have scored more points than any other team so far this season, while Penrith have racked up gritty wins over the Roosters and Dragons. Suspended Penrith star halfback Nathan Cleary will be replaced by talented rookie Matt Burton, feeling safe with wrecking ball Viliame Kikau alongside him.

The Knights will start crafty Connor Watson at hooker, but all eyes are on young fullback Tex Hoy, son of professional surfer Matt Hoy, who makes his first-grade debut with Kalyn Ponga out.

While the stadiums are empty, fans can have their chance to be heard and be on live TV. Fans can send a video to the @NRLonNine page on either Facebook or Instagram and show their colours and excitement for a chance to make the broadcast and share their excitement and passion with their teams.

BROADCAST TIMES

Thursday – May 28
Broncos vs Eels – #NRLBroncosEels

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

Friday – May 29
Roosters vs Rabbitohs – #NRLRoostersSouths

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 – May 31
Panthers vs Knights – #NRLPanthersKnights

Sydney 3.00pm LIVE on Nine
Brisbane 3.00pm LIVE on Nine
Melbourne 3.00pm LIVE on 9Gem
Adelaide 2.30pm LIVE on 9Gem
Perth 1.00pm LIVE on 9Gem

THREE DAYS OF NRL LIVE ON NINE

THURSDAY, MAY 28:

• MACCA’S THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTY – Broncos vs Eels, LIVE from Suncorp Stadium at 7.30pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Brad Fittler, Andrew Johns, Ruan Sims, Paul Vautin, Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer, Peter Psaltis.

• MACCA’S GOLDEN POINT – LIVE following Broncos vs Eels. It explores the big stories to come from the game and has exclusive behind-the-scenes access to players and coaches on the field and in the sheds.

FRIDAY, MAY 29:

• VB FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – Roosters vs Rabbitohs, LIVE from Bankwest Stadium at 7.30pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: Erin Molan, Ray Warren, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Paul Gallen, Billy Slater, Peter Sterling.

• FRIDAY NIGHT KNOCK OFF – LIVE following Roosters vs Rabbitohs. It explores the big stories to come from the game and has exclusive behind-the-scenes access to players and coaches on the field and in the sheds.

SUNDAY, MARCH 31:

• SPORTS SUNDAY – Sunday at 10.00am AEST, LIVE on Nine. This week: host James Bracey is joined by former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, netball legend Cath Cox and SMH columnist Peter Fitzsimons, with special guest John McEnroe.

• SUNDAY NRL FOOTY SHOW – LIVE from 11.00am AEST on Nine. Host Erin Molan will cover all the Round 3 action so far with Peter Sterling, Brad Fittler and Sam Thaiday.

• CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY KICK OFF – LIVE at 3.00pm AEST on Nine ahead of Chemist Warehouse Sunday Footy. A preview of the upcoming action from the best minds in the game.

• CHEMIST WAREHOUSE SUNDAY FOOTY – Panthers vs Knights, LIVE from Campbelltown Stadium at 4.00pm AEST on Nine.
Host and commentators: James Bracey, Paul Gallen, Allana Ferguson, Phil Gould, Peter Sterling, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Mat Thompson.

MONDAY, JUNE 1:

• 100% FOOTY – 10.35pm AEST on Nine. 100% Footy is the home of the strongest opinions in rugby league from the people who count. Phil Gould returns with Paul Gallen, journalist Andrew Webster and host James Bracey. This week the panel is joined by special guest, chairman of the ARLC Commission, Peter V’landys.

WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS RADIO ON 2GB & 4BC

• The WWOS TV brand that sports fans love has its very own radio show. From 6.00pm-7.00pm AEST Monday to Thursday, host Mark Levy chats with the biggest names in the world of Australian sport, including regular weekly guests:
o Monday: Billy Slater
o Tuesday: Paul Gallen
o Wednesday: Brad Fittler
o Thursday: Ken Sutcliffe

PODCAST – SIX TACKLES WITH GUS

• James Bracey discusses the biggest issues of the week with rugby league legend and expert commentator Phil Gould on Six Tackles with Gus.

This week:
o A preview of the reopening blockbuster round
o The Bronson Xerri doping scandal
o Will the return to the single referee system work?

Six Tackles with Gus – Podcast Available NOW on Spotify and Omny

Live streaming for Nine’s NRL programming available on 9Now.

For further information please contact Nine Publicity:
Jason Evans
E jaevans@nine.com.au
P 02 9965 2052

Thursday, May 28, 2020