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Rugby league joins the world of reality television shows with the premiere of ‘The NRL Rookie’ tonight (Tuesday, May 31) screening on networks around the globe including the DUKE channel in New Zealand (9.45pm).

The winner of ‘The NRL Rookie’ will land the coveted prize of a contract with one of the 16 NRL clubs.

A total of 28 finalists have been selected from thousands of applicants around the world in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the United Kingdom and United States. They will be pushed to the absolute limits of physical and psychological endurance with searching assessments of their rugby league skills in a quest to win the ultimate prize.         

Episode one introduces series host Erin Molan from The Footy Show, the 28 candidates and head coach Brad Fittler, who will mentor the rookies throughout the series.

Fittler is the youngest-ever New South Wales State of Origin player, debuting in 1990 at the age of 18; he captained the Blues in 14 Origin matches from 1990-2004, won two premierships (with the Panthers and the Roosters) and is currently an expert commentator for Channel Nine.

Molan and Fittler will be joined by former rugby league greats Mark “MG” Geyer and Adrian Lam, the coaches for the forwards (Geyer) and backs (Lam).

In each episode the coaching team will be joined by current and former NRL players to manage, educate and motivate the rookies through their severe challenges. These guests include Wally Lewis, Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer, Paul Gallen, Anthony Minichiello, Adam MacDougall and Robbie Kearns. Boxing champ Danny Green will also be featured.

The high-performance training programme will develop the contestants’ abilities with weekly challenges and matches against elite opposition. The show is shot on location in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland. Each contestant faces the acid test of his ability to perform as an individual and within a team, physically, tactically and emotionally on the road to making history as ‘The NRL Rookie’.

The episode 10 live finale will take place at the Star Event Centre in Sydney on August 2 where all 16 clubs will be represented and have the opportunity to sign the winner live on stage. To find out which NRL club ‘The NRL Rookie’ will sign with you'll have to stay tuned and watch live.

‘The NRL Rookie’ is produced by McGuire Media in association with the NRL. The ‘NRL Rookie’ is based on a format by McGuire Media and Foxtel.

 

WATCHING ‘THE NRL ROOKIE’

 

AUSTRALIA

Each epsiode will air five times each week on free to air television across the Nine Network:

Premiere | Tuesday, GO! 7.30pm (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)

Encore 1 | Wednesday, CH9 10.30pm (Sydney, Brisbane)

Encore 2 | Saturday, CH9 2pm (Brisbane)

Encore 3 | Sunday, CH9 2.30pm (Sydney)

Encore 4 | Monday, GO! 11.30pm (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth)

Please note: These times may vary from week to week so be sure to check the local guides.

If you don't manage to watch the show on TV then all episodes can be watched for free at any time right on www.nrlrookie.com where you will also be able to watch a wide range of online exclusive extras. 

 

NEW ZEALAND

Free to air broadcaster TVNZ will be showing the NRL Rookie on DUKE (available on channel 13 on Freeview or channel 23 on SKY).

The show will go to air at 9.45pm on Tuesday NZT with an encore play later in the week. Check the TVNZ website for more details (www.tvnz.co.nz).

If you don't manage to watch the show on TV then all episodes can be watched for free at any time on www.nrlrookie.com where you will also be able to watch a wide range of online exclusive extras.

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

National Broadcasting Corp of PNG will be showing the NRL Rookie on the NBCTV Channel. Please check the NBCPNG website for more details (www.nbcpng.com).

If you don't manage to watch the show on TV then all episodes can be watched for free at any time on www.nrlrookie.com where you will also be able to watch a wide range of online exclusive extras.

 

REST OF THE WORLD

Stay tuned for details on how, where and when you will be able to watch ‘The NRL Rookie’.

 

NRL ROOKIE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the programme contestants had to meet the following criteria:

Be at least 20 years of age;

Must never have been on an NRL first grade top 25 squad List or played an NRL first grade game;

Must not have played a second tier NRL match (NSW/QLD Cup) or an NYC match in either of the last three seasons (2013-2015).

Acknowledgement of Country

The New Zealand Warriors honour the mana of the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa, Australia and the Pacific. We acknowledge the traditional kaitiaki of the lands, elders past and present, their stories, their traditions, their mamae and their mana motuhake.

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