Rugby Australia is set to finalise its broadcasting arrangements, with the code on the verge of signing a five-year extension with Nine Entertainment and Stan Sport.
According to reports from News Corp, it is understood that the governing body will also get its wish for increased revenue, up on its current deal of AU$30 million annually – with the new deal set to cover 2026-2030.
The news comes at a critical time for the sport, with the upcoming broadcast deal set to take into consideration both the 2027 and 2029 World Cups – as well as World Rugby’s proposed Nations Cup, which is currently slated to be launched in 2026.
Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh and Rugby Australia Chairman Daniel Herbert. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
While negotiations have reportedly progressed well, Rugby Australia will be looking to confirm this deal quickly, not just to secure its cash flow, but also to lock down talent for this period.
A lack of certainty over the broadcast deal has reportedly contributed to many players considering options overseas, with Langi Gleeson set to move to French Top 14 club Montpellier – a decision that saw him dropped from their first Wallabies camp of the year.
The lack of clarity around the future of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has only added to the uncertainty.
Joe Schmidt’s undecided future at the Wallabies has only added to concerns for players – on top of broadcasting negotiations. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Several other high-profile players, including Fraser McReight, Tom Wright, Nick Frost, Jake Gordon, Matt Faessler, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Tane Edmed, Taniela Tupou, Noah Lolesio, Harry Wilson and Len Ikitau are all off-contract after the 2025 season, and have reportedly already been targeted by overseas clubs.
For some, it may already be too late, with Ikitau reportedly in advanced negotiations for a massive deal in Japan.
Nine has enjoyed an exclusive negotiation period with RA to lock down a new deal – which ended on December 31st. Following news that former broadcaster Foxtel has been sold to British sports streaming service DAZN in December – including all their AFL, cricket and NRL content – news around the broadcasting deal only intensified.
However, while both parties appear to be closing in on a done deal, several key details are yet to be confirmed, which remain a concern.
One major issue that has arisen has come from across the Tasman, with Sky reportedly offering the New Zealand Rugby Union a multimillion-dollar downgrade on their current broadcasting deal.
Currently, New Zealand enjoys an $NZ80 million (AU$72 million) per year deal with the broadcaster – however, reports are beginning to circulate that the downgrade could see their deal drop to as low as $NZ50 million (AU$45.2 million) a year.
Such a drop would have a significant impact on both unions, given their joint investment into the likes of Super Rugby Pacific – and should an increase in Australia’s deal not offset the losses across the Tasman, it could throw the entire venture into an uneasy future.
MORE TO COME.
