TV deal struck for Samoa Test, but not for Tonga

WALES’ summer tour match against Samoa will be shown live on the BBC next month, but there are still no broadcast arrangements in place for the Tongan Test a week earlier, writes SIMON THOMAS.

It will be a case of set your alarms early if you want to watch the Samoan game, as it is scheduled to kick-off at 6.30am UK time on the morning of Friday, June 23.

BBC Wales have reached agreement to show the Apia Test live, while they will also be transmitting TV highlights later in the day, with radio rights secured as well.

But, as yet, there is no coverage arranged by any broadcaster for the game against Tonga, which is taking place at Auckland’s Eden Park on Friday, June 16. Sky Sports have confirmed to me they will not be showing either tour match.

And, as it stands, neither BBC Wales nor S4C have secured a deal to televise the Tongan Test, which had to be moved to New Zealand because of issues with the facilities at the Teufaiva Sport Stadium in Nuku’alofa.

The main stumbling block appears to be the question of who owns the broadcast rights for the game.

Those for the Samoa match – which is set for a Friday evening kick-off at Apia Park – are held by World Rugby and BBC Wales have succeeded in reaching agreement with the governing body.

But it appears the rights are held by a separate agency for the Tongan game and the situation is proving problematic.

In theory, it would be S4C’s fixture, with the BBC showing the other Test from the tour.

Once again, you would be looking at a 6.30am start time in the UK, with the game kicking off at 5.30pm local time at Eden Park.

It’s part of a double header at the Auckland stadium, with the All Blacks taking on Samoa later in the evening as preparation for the Lions Test series.

The Welsh tour squad heads for Colwyn Bay this weekend for a training camp which will culminate in a match against WRU National Cup holders RGC 1404 at Parc Eirias next Friday.

The team to face RGC will be named on Tuesday, while the match will be broadcast live by S4C, with a 7pm kick-off.