NSW Waratahs launch Super Rugby title defence live and only on Fox Sports

Tue, Feb 10, 2015, 1:00 AM
AAP
by AAP

The Waratahs made history in 2014 when they won their maiden Super Rugby title after flyhalf Bernard Foley slotted a long-range penalty goal to seal the victory against the Crusaders in the dying minutes.

They launch their title defence on Sunday (February 15) at home against the Force, in an all-Aussie affair with LIVE action beginning at 3.30pm with a 30-minute pregame show hosted by FOX SPORTS’s Rugby pundit Nick McArdle. The voice of Rugby in Australia, Greg Clark, alongside former Wallaby Phil Kearns then take over to call all the action with Rod Kafer providing live updates from the sideline.

The season begins on Friday night, when Australia’s youngest franchise, the Melbourne Rebels, travel across the Tasman to take on last year’s finalists and seven-time champions, the Crusaders, in the opening match.

The Reds, bolstered by a string of big-name signings including Karmichael Hunt and James O’Connor, take on ACT rivals, the Brumbies, in the following match to wrap up a live double-header.

The New Zealand teams will again be a force in 2015, with the heavy-hitting Crusaders hunting an eighth title while all eyes will be on the Chiefs and star recruit Sonny Bill Williams when they open their account on Saturday (February 14) against the Blues.

South Africa’s title hopes will rest once again on 2014 semi-finalists, the Sharks, who open their season against the Cheetahs on Sunday morning before the Bulls and Stormers clash in the following match.

The 2015 Super Rugby season holds extra incentive for the players as they flex their national credentials ahead of the Rugby World Cup in September and FOX SPORTS will be the place to watch it all.

Spearheading FOX SPORTS’ coverage will be a team of experts boasting over 400 Wallabies Test caps with John Eales, George Gregan, Greg Martin, Tim Horan, Kearns and Kafer joined by former Wallabies’ front rower Tom Lawton in 2015.

Before all the action begins, Australia’s only dedicated Rugby show, Rugby HQ, returns this week to its regular home of Thursday nights at 8.30pm EDT with host McArdle joined by Kearns and Lawton on the opening show plus Sean Maloney delivers all the latest Rugby news from Las Vegas ahead of the Rugby Sevens. Wallabies and Waratahs coach, Michael Cheika, is the special guest on the premiere episode with the panel delivering a comprehensive season preview.

Australia’s only 24/7 sports news channel, FOX SPORTS News (channel 500) will be the place to stay across the latest news and developments in the lead up to the weekend’s action with a full wrap of all the results and highlights following each round.

Foxsports.com.au will be the online destination for fans with an enhanced Super Rugby Match Centre featuring live scores, stats and video highlights plus fans can join the new Super Coach Rugby 15s Fantasy competition.

FOX SPORTS’ LIVE ASTERON LIFE SUPER RUGBY BROADCAST SCHEDULE

ROUND 1

FRI 13 FEB: Crusaders v Rebels, LIVE at 5.30pm on FOX SPORTS 502

FRI 13 FEB: Brumbies v Reds, LIVE at 7.30pm on FOX SPORTS 502

SAT 14 FEB: Lions v Hurricanes, LIVE at 4.00am on FOX SPORTS 502

SAT 14 FEB: Blues v Chiefs, LIVE at 5.30pm on FOX SPORTS 502

SUN 15 FEB: Sharks v Cheetahs, LIVE at 2.00am on FOX SPORTS 502

SUN 15 FEB: Bulls v Stormers, LIVE at 4.00am on FOX SPORTS 502

SUN 15 FEB: Waratahs v Force, LIVE from 3.30pm (KO at 4.00pm) on FOX SPORTS 502

THU 12 FEB: RUGBY HQ, LIVE at 8.30pm on FOX SPORTS 502

*All times listed in AEDT

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