Sponsors needed to screen rugby games

All 48 Rugby World Cup matches look likely to be aired by Cook Islands Television, provided sponsors come on board

Cook Islands Television chief executive Jeane Matenga says that the station has been granted the right to show all 48 games, however she has been asked to double her bid.

Matenga says that she has already approached sponsors to cover the costs of broadcasting the world cup games and she adds that she has received positive feedback from sponsors.

CITV were not able to broadcast the Super 15 games this season as SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby), the body which operates the Super 15 (formerly Super 14) and the Tri Nations, did not grant licenses to terrestrial broadcasters in the Pacific islands.

But things are looking up for local rugby fans and if you are keen to have the rugby world cup games aired on CITV and have some spare change why not be a sponsor to get the games broadcast in the Cook Islands.

The tournament, which features 20 teams, will kick off on September 9 and run right up till October 23.

Pool A includes the New Zealand All Blacks, France, Tonga, Canada and Japan while Pool B will consist of Argentina, England, Scotland, Georgia and Romania.

Pool C will feature Australia, Ireland, Italy, Russia and the USA and Pool D includes South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Samoa and Namibia.