RWC Opening Game 'Ikale Tahi vs All Blacks on free television [1]
Thursday, August 25, 2011 - 22:29. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
The opening match of the Rugby World Cup 2011 between Tonga's 'Ikale Tahi and the New Zealand All Blacks will be broadcasted live on Television Tonga, at 9.30 pm on 9 September with the support of sponsors.
There has been public concern over the fact that many Tongans will not be able to watch the opening match because Television Tonga could not afford the World Cup broadcasting fee of USD$100,000 that was demanded by Fiji TV's Sky Pacific, which has the exclusive right to televise the 2011 Rugby Wrld Cup matches to Tonga.
The New Zealand High Commission in Nuku'alofa, initially planned to sponsor a public screening with a live feed at the Teufaiva Outdoor Stadium, but they were later informed that for the same cost they could actually sponsor the free to air broadcast on Television Tonga. "So we decided to go with that option", said the New Zealand High Commissioner to Tonga, Dr Jonathan Austin.
The New Zealand High Commission, ANZ Bank, Heineken and Tonga Communications Corporation will sponsor the live broadcast of the opening game between the 'Ikale Tahi and the All Blacks.
HE Dr Jonathan Austin told Matangi Tonga yesterday, August 24 that both Tonga and New Zealand are great rugby nations and it was a treat to begin this World Cup with our beloved teams.
"We worked on this because we knew that not everyone could watch the much talked about Opening Game and so together with ANZ, Heineken and TCC we approached TV Tonga and offered to pay for the first match. Its a gift to Tonga."
Solomone Finau, Chief Engineer and a member of the TBC committee tasked with the Rugby World Cup funding said they welcomed donations from every corner of Tonga.
He said they are targeting to pay for the rights to also broadcast on free television the 'Ikale Tahi's three other pool games against Canada, Japan and France, which is at a total cost at USD$8,000.
"We are also looking at the possibility of broadcasting the main highlights of RWC quarterfinals, semi finals and finals on television Tonga. So we are appealing for donations from people and businesses and so we have collected around $4,000 from Vava'u and $800 from 'Eua in our fundraising which remains ongoing," he said.