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Raelene Castle's future reportedly in doubt over Rugby Australia broadcast saga
By Online Editors
Raelene Castle's future as Rugby Australia chief executive could be in doubt as the national body scrambles to find a new broadcasting partner.
Incumbent rights-holder Foxtel, announced on Wednesday that its talks had come to an end with Rugby Australia, following a lengthy period of negotiations.
Rugby Australia will now take test match and Super Rugby rights to the market, with Optus appearing to be the only serious bidder.
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Their search for a new broadcast deal has, as a result, left Castle's position hanging in the balance according to The Sydney Morning Herald chief rugby reporter Georgina Robinson.
Robinson told Wide World of Sports Radio on 2BG, she believed Castle's position was "entirely dependent" on what happens with the new deal.
"If their initial instincts are correct, their research is correct, there is competitive tension, and she can secure a decent deal for rugby in the current environment because no one is handing out dollars for free, then she will stay on," Robinson said.
"If she can't and Fox don't put a bid in and Optus lowballs, then Raelene Castle won't see out the end of March."
In 2015, Foxtel agreed to pay A$285 million ($296m) over five years to Rugby Australia but the pay-TV broadcaster was only willing to bid in the mid-A$30m. Optus is reportedly willing to top that.
Fox Sports, however, is the only broadcaster of the Super Rugby competition in Australia.
"It's not just what Fox or Optus would be prepared to pay for it," Robinson added.
"It's actually what the other partners such as South Africa, New Zealand and broadcaster in the UK are prepared to pay.
"Because that's where the 148 per cent increase came from this time five years ago."
"https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12306855">This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished with permission.
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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