Footy fans have shared mixed reviews over Channel 7’s coverage of the blockbuster Rugby League World Cup opener on Thursday night.
Seven’s star studded commentary crew and the network’s other coverage quirks has got tongues wagging with unavoidable comparisons to rusted on NRL rights holder Channel 9’s coverage.
Channel 7 could not have wished for a better contest to begin its first rugby league match broadcast in almost a decade as the Kangaroos won a thriller against the Kiwis at Allianz Stadium.
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Seven’s match broadcast which centred around Fox League commentator Andrew Voss, Kiwi legend Shaun Johnson and three-time NRL premiership winner Luke Keary was a very different look for those used to the free-to-air broadcast team featuring Andrew Johns and Phil Gould.
For many fans, Thursday night was a breath of fresh air, however, others have taken to social media to criticise aspects of Seven’s broadcast.
Fans on X and Reddit have expressed frustration at the invasive ads that appeared at points in the game.
It is increasingly common for Aussie free to air networks to run advertising frames around live action taking place on the field.
Fans used to seeing the scoreboard displayed in the top left corner on Fox League also took a moment to get used to the scoreboard at the bottom, centre of the camera shot.
For many fans, the most divisive subject was the style of Seven’s commentary team compared to the iconic team of Gould, Johns, Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Brad Fittler, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Paul Gallen and Allana Ferguson.
Thursday’s panel of Mel McLaughlin, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Johnson wasn’t everyone’s cup of tee.
“Bloody hell give me some warning,” one person posted on X when sharing a screenshot of the trio.
The post has been viewed 17,000 times with mixed reviews from those popping up in the comments.
One fan posted: “Pretty impressive from Channel 7 tonight. Only thing is they cut off to an ad the second a try/goal happens like they do with the AFL.
“Need to leave it another 15 seconds. Other than that, VERY enjoyable broadcast.”
The same fan gave Seven’s production a 9/10, but also said Roosters premiership coach Trent Robinson — one of Seven’s experts — “has the personality of a beetroot”.
Seven dropped $12 million last year to get the broadcast rights for the tournament. However, the network’s widely reported interest in pursuing the NRL rights fell short when Nine secured the rights through to the end of 2034.
Many fans on X said they hope Nine will learn from some of Seven’s production.
“The game hasn’t even started yet, but the pre-match coverage on Channel 7 is already head and shoulders above the abysmal stuff dished up by Channel 9,” one person posted on X.
Another posted: “Hope Channel 9 takes away some tips from Channel 7’s coverage tonight.
“Was great listening to a fresh group of minds that aren’t bitter about life. Too many fossils on 9 lead to a boring coverage weekly.”
Seven’s coverage of Thursday’s tournament opener reached 3.29 million viewers across free to air and 7plus.
For the record, Nine’s coverage of the 2026 NRL Grand Final drew a national Total TV average audience of 4.286 million viewers
Nine holds four of the top five-rating programs in Australia this year with the NRL Grand Final and three State of Origin games – but the AFL Grand Final has had the largest audience of any TV broadcast this year.
Seven’s Rugby League World Cup coverage is being fronted by some big names, including Matt Shirvington, Matt White, McLaughlin, Corey Parker, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Papenhuyzen, Aaron Woods, Brett Kimmorley, Brent Tate and Emma Verran and James Graham.
Originally published as NRL fans in a spin over Channel 7 Rugby League World Cup move