On a day the nation honours our fallen servicemen and women, FOX SPORTS will deliver on its proud ANZAC Day tradition with six hours of LIVE NRL coverage featuring two explosive encounters.
Host Matthew Johns will join Blues Coach Ricky Stuart and a man who knows all about playing on ANZAC Day, former Dragons centre Mark Gasnier, from 3pm AEST to kick off the ANZAC Day double-header and preview the traditional afternoon clash between the Roosters and Dragons.
The two Sydney-based clubs forged their ANZAC Day rivalry through several fiery encounters dating back to the 1970’s, before the NRL installed the clash as an annual fixture in 2002. Since then, the Dragons have dominated the fixture winning seven of the 10 matches played, including the past four in a row.
With both clubs having won four of their opening seven matches this season, the winner will temporarily advance into the top four on a congested NRL ladder.
FOX SPORTS’ chief NRL commentator Warren Smith will call the action alongside Greg Alexander and Andy Raymond LIVE from Allianz Stadium, capturing the pre-match ceremony including the delivery of the ANZAC Cup onto the ground via Black Hawk helicopter, before the annual blockbuster kicks off at 4pm AEST on FOX SPORTS 2HD & FOX SPORTS 2.
Over 26,000 tickets have already been sold for the clash, which has become a gathering point for veterans and current serving personnel, who, after the Dawn Service and March, join thousands of rugby league fans to again honour those who served their nation.
Following the clash in Sydney, attention turns to AAMI Park in Melbourne where the undefeated Storm meet their finals nemesis from last season, the Warriors.
Johns and Gasnier will be joined by Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis in the studio from 6pm AEST to preview the Trans-Tasman battle between the competition front-runners and the league’s most flamboyant team.
While the Storm and Warriors may not have the history of the Dragons and Roosters clash, the legend of their night-time ANZAC fixture grew when the Warriors stunned the home team 18-14 in one of the most memorable matches of the 2011 season.
The occasion has also been embraced by the kiwi community, who since the opening ANZAC Day clash in 2009 have converged on Melbourne in their thousands to share in the battle.
LIVE coverage will continue at 7pm AEST on FOX SPORTS 2HD & FOX SPORTS 2 when Matt Russell calls the action alongside Laurie Daley and Premiership-winning Storm halfback Brett Kimmorley.
FOX SPORTS’ LIVE and EXCLUSIVE coverage of the ANZAC Day Double-Header is available in HIGH DEFINITION for FOXTEL and AUSTAR sports subscribers.
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