No live first XV coverage by Sky
SKY Television is not going to televise any live first XV matches in the South this year.
The company confirmed yesterday it was unable to get to all regions across the country to cover live games due to the short season and resources. .
Secondary school rugby starts in earnest nationwide this week as pupils return to school for the second term.
Sky has been broadcasting college rugby for about a decade and has built up a large following and increased the profile of the sport throughout that time.
It has lined up more than 30 games this year to be broadcast but not one will be televised live from south of the Waitaki River.
It did confirm a Sky crew would be present when Otago Boys’ High School hosts Southland Boys’ High School in the traditional interschool later this month.
The game, though, would not be televised live which it was last year when it was played in Invercargill. It would be screened on a the first XV revision show the following week.
Sky spokeswoman Melodie Robinson said the tight season and the large number of competitions meant it was impossible for Sky to cover all competitions.
‘‘Due to resource and trying to fit eight rugby competitions from around the country into the 14 week season, unfortunately we can’t get to all regions,’’ she said.
‘‘Any of the local teams who reach the national top four finals will be covered live on the Rugby channel with replays on Sky Sport.’’
The top four involves three teams from the North Island and also the top team from the South Island.
Otago Boys’ has been the South Island representative regularly over the past few years and last appeared in the top four in 2015. Southland Boys High’ played in the top four last year in which it finished fourth.
The bulk of the college games on Sky this year will be from the North Island with a focus on the Auckland 1A competition. There are four games from the South Island including a game between Timaru Boys’ High School and Marlborough Boys’ College in Timaru.
The traditional game between Christchurch Boys’ High School and Christ’s College in the garden city will be broadcast live.
❛ Any of the local teams who reach the national topfour finals will be covered live on the Rugby channel with
replays on Sky Sport