Farah Palmer Cup struggles with broadcast quality amid Rugby World Cup buzz
Now the dreaded asterisk has re-emerged. Once again, the men's schedule dictates which women's match will be shown on Sky and which will now be streamed by NZ Rugby itself. This is how we ended up having the winner of last year's premiership, Waikato, facing the most successful province in women's rugby history, Auckland, on an internet livestream on the opening weekend.
I reserved my judgment on the NZR livestream before seeing it myself, knowing that removing a paywall from our sport during the cost-of-living crisis could be an opportunity for growth. I ended up wishing instead for the return of auntie's Facebook. At least she would have taken the time to pronounce the players' names right.
Rebecca Burch on the charge for Counties Manukau Heat. Photo / Photosport
Naming rights
How dreadfully boring to be asking once again for the names of players to be respected. As political debate this week raged about the inclusion of te reo Māori in children's reading resources, I couldn't help but wish more of our commentators had had access to these phonetics. With the streamed coverage reduced to one mounted camera, the audio accompaniment becomes all the more important to fill in the picture for viewers.
This is NZR's official channel. If it is putting its name to the channel, at a minimum it should be ensuring its players are having theirs said correctly.
This livestream, rather than a downgrade, should be a chance to do things differently. What it lacks in resources, it can make up in creativity. Follow the lead of the National Women's Rugby League, which puts current players on the call, adding to the energy. Better yet, run the opportunity to call games as a fan competition, creating a buzz in the lead-in by getting enthusiasts to submit their audition tapes. Then have a fan vote on those who make it through to help cover the final.
The location of a broadcast matters less these days. It's the difference for the fan being a case of clicking on one app or the other. Even better if one of them is free. What matters is the care taken in the coverage. Putting our best matches in front of our biggest audience. Saying the names correctly and bringing real energy to the event. Making an average stream appointment viewing by showing that you love the game as much as those tuning in.
Alice Soper is a sports columnist for the Herald on Sunday. A former provincial rugby player and current club coach, she has a particular interest in telling stories of the emerging world of women's sports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
5 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
St Hilda's keep legacy going
The St Hilda's rugby team prepare for the South Island secondary schoolgirls final against Christchurch Girls' tomorrow. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN You never know where life can take you. In the early 1990s, St Hilda's Collegiate teacher John Bradfield was looking for an assistant coach to help him out with the school's First XV when he rang the physical education department at the University of Otago to see if anyone was interested. A young woman by the name of Farah Palmer answered the call, and made the trip up to St Hilda's to lend a hand to a bunch of fresh-faced teenagers wanting to get stuck in. Palmer, who was playing for Otago at the time, went on to be one of the most recognisable faces in women's rugby, captaining the Black Ferns before being appointed to the New Zealand Rugby board. Black Ferns great Farah Palmer (front row, third from the left) with the 1996 St Hilda's First XV she helped coach while playing for Otago. PHOTOS: ST HILDA'S The national provincial women's competition is aptly named the Farah Palmer Cup after the trailblazer. It was a "happy accident" for the school — but one that remains invaluable for them today. Palmer stayed on with the team for a couple of years after Bradfield — who is now back at St Hilda's as teacher in charge of rugby — moved on, and she paved the way for future generations of rugby at the school. That opened the door for St Hilda's to produce some of the Otago Spirit's finest, including current back Sheree Hume and hooker Hannah Lithgow. Rugby has grown massively at the school across the past three decades. More players were arriving from rural areas, having already played in boys' teams, and the interest had grown with 55 girls involved in the sport — including 20 year 9s — this season. Several players Palmer helped coach now have daughters at the Dunedin school, which is gearing up for its biggest battle yet. The St Hilda's team had a hard-fought 33-27 win over Central Southland College in Invercargill last week to win the Highlanders secondary schoolgirls' final. They now head to Christchurch tomorrow to play powerhouses Christchurch Girls' in the South Island final; the winner will qualify for the top four. It is a big occasion for the team, who are coached by James O'Brien and Lucy Holmes-Crombie. Bradfield is proud of the St Hilda's girls, who have a hard-working forward pack and exciting backs, and of how far rugby has come at the school. Maybe the next Farah Palmer will be out on the pitch tomorrow.
NZ Herald
2 days ago
- NZ Herald
Farah Palmer Cup struggles with broadcast quality amid Rugby World Cup buzz
The result meant we often saw our most lopsided games being broadcast, giving a poor view of the state of our competition. The rest you had to follow on an auntie's Facebook page. The live function had just emerged on social media, enabling passionate, albeit blurry, coverage from the sideline. This was the fan experience of the Farah Palmer Cup pre-2021. After this, Sky proudly announced its commitment to air and streaming all Farah Palmer Cup matches. And they have – until this season. Now the dreaded asterisk has re-emerged. Once again, the men's schedule dictates which women's match will be shown on Sky and which will now be streamed by NZ Rugby itself. This is how we ended up having the winner of last year's premiership, Waikato, facing the most successful province in women's rugby history, Auckland, on an internet livestream on the opening weekend. I reserved my judgment on the NZR livestream before seeing it myself, knowing that removing a paywall from our sport during the cost-of-living crisis could be an opportunity for growth. I ended up wishing instead for the return of auntie's Facebook. At least she would have taken the time to pronounce the players' names right. Rebecca Burch on the charge for Counties Manukau Heat. Photo / Photosport Naming rights How dreadfully boring to be asking once again for the names of players to be respected. As political debate this week raged about the inclusion of te reo Māori in children's reading resources, I couldn't help but wish more of our commentators had had access to these phonetics. With the streamed coverage reduced to one mounted camera, the audio accompaniment becomes all the more important to fill in the picture for viewers. This is NZR's official channel. If it is putting its name to the channel, at a minimum it should be ensuring its players are having theirs said correctly. This livestream, rather than a downgrade, should be a chance to do things differently. What it lacks in resources, it can make up in creativity. Follow the lead of the National Women's Rugby League, which puts current players on the call, adding to the energy. Better yet, run the opportunity to call games as a fan competition, creating a buzz in the lead-in by getting enthusiasts to submit their audition tapes. Then have a fan vote on those who make it through to help cover the final. The location of a broadcast matters less these days. It's the difference for the fan being a case of clicking on one app or the other. Even better if one of them is free. What matters is the care taken in the coverage. Putting our best matches in front of our biggest audience. Saying the names correctly and bringing real energy to the event. Making an average stream appointment viewing by showing that you love the game as much as those tuning in. Alice Soper is a sports columnist for the Herald on Sunday. A former provincial rugby player and current club coach, she has a particular interest in telling stories of the emerging world of women's sports.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
New Zealand Rugby & Sky New Zealand Team Up For Triple Threat Docuseries, Showcasing The Rise Of Black Ferns
New Zealand Rugby and Sky have teamed up to deliver Triple Threat, an eight-part documentary series that offers unprecedented access into the lives of three of Aotearoa's most exciting Gen Z rugby talents, Maia Joseph, Jorja Miller, and Katelyn Vahaakolo, as they pursue their dream of representing the Black Ferns at the Rugby World Cup 2025. Premiering today, Wednesday 13 August at 6pm on NZR+ and screening the same day on Sky Go and Sky Sport Now, Triple Threat is a raw, personal, and unfiltered look at the drama, drive, and cultural identity that shapes these young athletes both on and off the field. From selection pressure to social media, from whānau to international fame, this is the story of three wāhine toa forging their path in the modern era of elite sport. With behind-the-scenes footage, emotional interviews, and intimate moments, the series reveals the resilience and passion it takes to chase the black jersey. Triple Threat is a celebration of women's rugby, cultural diversity, and the unique mana of the Black Ferns. About the series Maia Joseph says: "The show not only gives a real insight into the Black Ferns, but also Jorja, KV and my personal lives. It's been an amazing experience, and I am so fortunate to have my first World Cup frozen in time for the future". Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Jorja Miller added: " You only get to debut once at a Rugby World Cup, and it's been a goal of mine for some time. I'm excited to be part of a show that follows that journey alongside KV and Maia, while sharing more insights on and off the field, from our daily routines to the family and people who support us". Katelyn Vahaakolo finished with: 'I'm a reflection of the love, laughter, and resilience that I'm surrounded by, and I hope it shows in what I share in this doco. I love that I get to do it with two of my mates, we are all opposite of each other, but somehow make it work'. The premiere episode introduces each of the three players as the Black Ferns begin the PAC4 Series squad process. Viewers will see candid moments with their families, honest reflections on their goals, and the deep significance of pulling on the black jersey for the first time. Throughout the series the athletes also spend time with other rugby stars like Ardie Savea and Dan Carter, who share their wisdom before the players head to the UK. Executive Producer Dame Julie Christie from NHNZ Worldwide, whose vision helped shape the series, says Triple Threat offers a fresh look at women's sport. 'This series brings a fresh lens to rugby, a young female lens, a Gen Z lens, and a digital-first approach,' says Christie. ' These are the stories we want to hear. Personal stories of vulnerability, strength, resilience, and pride from these players that inspire and connect with a new generation of fans, whether they already have a love for rugby or not.' How to Watch Triple Threat: Premieres: Wednesday 13 August, 6pm on NZR+ and All Blacks YouTube with subsequent episodes shared on these channels. Also available from 13 August on: Sky Go and Sky Sport Now Weekly episodes on free-to-air: Sky Open, Wednesdays at 8pm from 27 August
