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SANZAAR didnât quite get an Alan Bond deal in its last broadcast contract in the UK and Ireland but it wasnât far off it.
For the 2016-2020 cycle, Sky Sports coughed up an estimated £20 million a year for Super Rugby and The Rugby Championship, pouring more than $150 million into the bank accounts of the SANZAAR unions over the length of the contract. It had come after an unexpected bidding war between Sky Sports and BT Sport, and like someone whoâd found a $100 bill in their pants pocket, then ARU boss Bill Pulver could barely disguise his glee when announcing the deal.
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The Wrap: More ticks than crosses in bright Super Rugby opening A Set the default text size A Set large text size
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The results may have been predictable, with last year’s finalists scoring convincing wins over last year’s two bottom sides, but there was something for everybody to take away from a breezy opening to the 2021 rugby season on Friday night.
The Waratahs jumped out of the blocks, and Jake Gordon’s energy had his side in front early. But the Reds response – not 15 minutes later they were ahead by 24-7 – should send a scare through all of the other camps.
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All Blacks great Dan Carter, the rugby world s record points scorer, has been showered with praise since confirming his retirement.
Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Giteau and Quade Cooper are among Dan Carter’s international rugby rivals to shower praise on the retired All Blacks superstar – and the Springboks have invited him for “a braai’’. Carter’s greatness has also been hailed by foreign rugby unions, with Australia, England, France, Japan and the British and Irish Lions posting tributes on their official social media accounts. The entire spectrum of the rugby world – from Carter’s Canterbury country club Southbridge – to European Club Rugby – organisers of the European Champions Cup – and the champion five-eighth’s former French club Racing 92 have made generous acknowledgements.