6 September 2019
New Zealand Media and Entertainment – Kiwis’ home of Rugby World Cup coverage
Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport have secured live radio broadcast rights to Rugby World Cup 2019TM, providing the
centrepiece of New Zealand Media and Entertainment’s (NZME) multi-platform, 24/7 coverage from Japan.
With Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport the Official Radio Broadcasters of the Rugby World Cup 2019TM, New Zealand rugby fans
will hear all the New Zealand Rugby World Cup games live.
From Tokyo to Yokohama, Radio Sport’s Nigel Yalden will be in Japan to commentate live across Newstalk ZB and Radio
Sport’s 64 frequencies, and digitally through nzherald.co.nz and iHeartRadio.
“Nigel is the voice of rugby in New Zealand, having called more than 100 rugby tests. He was at Eden Park for the 2011
triumph and at Twickenham for the last Cup victory too. Of course, we expect his commentary for the Rugby World Cup
2019TM Final in Yokohama will have New Zealand lining up for a three-peat,” says NZME Managing Editor Shayne Currie.
NZME’s NZ Herald, Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport will be the home of rugby for the six-week tournament, with an unbeatable
line-up of rugby experts and columnists.
NZME has called up Black Ferns star Michaela Blyde and former All Blacks Buck Shelford and Leon MacDonald into the team
for their expert analysis and inside knowledge.
Joining Yalden in Japan will be NZME rugby journalists Patrick McKendry, Liam Napier, Elliott Smith, Gregor Paul and
videographer Mark Mitchell. With a diverse range of columnists adding even more spice, NZME is promising unique and
insightful coverage in digital, print and broadcast.
“New Zealanders’ passion for their rugby stretches well beyond the games themselves. We’ve lined up New Zealand’s top
rugby reporters, analysts and writers to ensure Kiwi rugby fans don’t miss a thing. From dodgy refereeing decisions and
controversial player selections, to the passion and excitement of the matches, we’ve got this covered,” says Currie.
“With several New Zealand matches played in the evening timeslots, much of New Zealand will be waking up hungry for Cup
news. We’re all over that too with our teams of journalists dedicated to hunting out all the Cup action and reaction on nzherald.co.nz, Newstalk ZB, Radio Sport and all of NZME’s music radio networks too.
“Our NZ Herald Premium subscribers will have an even closer view, with insightful and exclusive features, a special
newsletter and rich statistics to take them inside New Zealand’s national game,” says Currie.
ENDS