MICHAEL HOOPER JOINS STAN SPORT’S WORLD CLASS LINEUP TO SHOWCASE THE BIGGEST EVER RUGBY WORLD CUP

With the kick off to Rugby World Cup 2023 just four days away, Stan Sport confirms its talent lineup with the biggest names in the game bringing fans all the action both on and off the pitch throughout the seven week tournament.

5 September, 2023 – Stan Sport today announced their full Rugby World Cup 2023 content and commentary lineup with former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper joining an experienced commentary team delivering unprecedented coverage for rugby’s showpiece event.
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​Rugby World Cup 2023 is set to be one of the most competitive in the competition’s history with several teams vying for rugby’s greatest prize. 

Match Coverage & Commentary Team
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​Stan Sport will be the only place to watch every match from Rugby World Cup 2023 with all the action from the tournament streaming ad-free, live and in 4K Ultra HD. Stan continues to be the only streaming service in Australia to showcase live sport in 4K UHD, available to subscribers with compatible devices across all sport plans.
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​The Wallabies' most experienced captain of all time, Michael Hooper (RWC 2015 Finalist & RWC 2019), will bolster Stan Sport’s lineup, bringing 125 Tests of experience to the coverage. Hooper, who missed out on RWC squad selection due to injury, will bring viewers a fascinating insight into the Wallabies having recently worked under coach Eddie Jones during the Wallabies Rugby Championship campaign earlier this year. ​
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​Hooper will be joined in studio by experienced host Nick McArdle with former Wallabies Mat Rogers (RWC 2003 Finalist), Stephen Hoiles (RWC 2011) and James Horwill (RWC 2011 Captain) with dual international Allana Ferguson and Wallaroo Sera Naiqama (WRWC 2021). Stan Sport's RWC coverage will feature state-of-the-art match analysis using the latest virtual AR graphic technology. ​
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​Match coverage from on the ground in France will feature expert analysis from former Wallabies Tim Horan (2 x RWC winner), Morgan Turinui (RWC 2003 Finalist & RWC 2007) and Justin Harrison (RWC 2003 Finalist) alongside All Blacks legends Sonny Bill Williams (RWC 2011 & RWC 2015 Winner) and Andrew Mehrtens (RWC 1995 Finalist & RWC 1999) with Sean Maloney in commentary and Michael Atkinson sideline.
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​Stan Sport’s world-class commentary team will be situated in venues across France bringing Aussies all the action from the highly anticipated RWC 2023 opener in Paris, France v New Zealand (September 9), Wallabies pool matches against Georgia (September 10), Fiji (September 18), Wales (September 25) and Portugal (October 2), quarter-finals (October 15 & 16), semi-finals (October 21 & 22) and final on October 28.

Additional Content & Shows

Complementing Stan Sport’s match coverage will be daily coverage keeping Aussies up to date with all the latest news, analysis and opinion from RWC 2023.
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​Rugby World Cup Central
​Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays from 5:00PM AEST
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​A review show featuring the major talking points, results, standings, highlights and heroes.
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​Hosted by Roz Kelly and Nick McArdle with expert analysis from Stephen Hoiles, James Horwill and Mat Rogers.
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​Between Two Posts
​Tuesdays from 5:00PM AEST
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​A taste of what it’s like to be on the ground in France.
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​A look at how the Wallabies are faring, what’s got people talking and what’s happening behind the scenes delivered over a cup of coffee from inside a local French cafe.
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​Starring Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Andrew Mehrtens.
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​Rugby Heaven
​Thursdays from 5:00 PM AEST
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​Energy filled variety chat show delivered from inside a Rugby World Cup hot spot, showcasing fans and rugby identities from across the globe.
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​Features all the latest from inside the Wallabies RWC base plus a look at all the biggest stories and headlines coming out of the tournament and a look ahead to another action packed weekend of World Cup match ups.
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​Featuring Michael Atkinson, Morgan Turinui, Andrew Mehrtens, Tim Horan, Sonny Bill Williams and Sean Maloney and special appearances from some of the game’s biggest names.
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​Ben Kimber, Director of Sport at Stan, said: ​
​"With the game’s most recognisable face Michael Hooper completing an outstanding lineup, Stan Sport has built a commentary team that will do justice to one of the world's biggest sporting events. The tournament’s loss was our viewers gain with the former captain set to add new insight to what is already the most comprehensive commentary lineup the game has seen. A huge tournament just got bigger for Stan Sport subscribers.”
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​Rugby World Cup 2023 kicks off Saturday with a huge encounter in Paris between host nation France against the All Blacks on Saturday from 3:55am AEST. The Wallabies campaign gets underway against Georgia in Paris (Sunday 1:30am AEST) while England meet Argentina (Sunday 4:55am AEST) and South Africa face Scotland (Monday 1:30am AEST) in a massive Pool D match-up. Eight matches of world-class rugby to enjoy with all the action ad-free, live and in 4K UHD on Stan Sport.
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​Week 1 Fixtures

Pool A: France v New Zealand
​Saturday 9 September
​LIVE & EXCLUSIVE IN 4K UHD ON STAN SPORT FROM 3:55AM AEST
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​Pool A: Italy v Namibia
​Saturday 9 September
​LIVE & EXCLUSIVE IN 4K UHD ON STAN SPORT FROM 8:45PM AEST
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​Pool B: Ireland v Romania
​Saturday 9 September
​LIVE & EXCLUSIVE IN 4K UHD ON STAN SPORT FROM 11:15PM AEST
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​Pool C: Wallabies v Georgia
​Sunday 10 September
​LIVE IN 4K UHD FROM ON STAN SPORT 1:30AM AEST
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​Pool D: England v Argentina
​Sunday 10 September
​LIVE & EXCLUSIVE IN 4K UHD ON STAN SPORT FROM 4:45AM AEST
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​Pool D: Japan v Chile
​Sunday 10 September
​LIVE & EXCLUSIVE IN 4K UHD ON STAN SPORT FROM 8:45PM AEST
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​Pool D: South Africa v Scotland
​Monday 11 September
​LIVE & EXCLUSIVE IN 4K UHD ON STAN SPORT FROM 1:30AM AEST
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​Pool C: Wales v Fiji
​Monday 11 September
​LIVE & EXCLUSIVE IN 4K UHD ON STAN SPORT FROM 4:45AM AEST
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​Watch all the action from Rugby World Cup 2023 on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport. Every match ad-free, live and on demand in 4K UHD from September 9.

For more information, please contact:

Hamish Birt | Hamish.Birt@stan.com.au

Jason Evans | jason.evans@stan.com.au

For all Stan Publicity assets, go to: www.stan.news