Sunrise Host Ends Interview Abruptly as NRL Chairman Claims Supremacy over AFL
In a recent interview on Sunrise, host Nat Barr jokingly cut short her conversation with NRL Chairman Peter V’landys after he made claims of supremacy over the AFL. V’landys, who is currently in Washington as a guest of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for a White House state dinner hosted by US President Joe Biden, was discussing the NRL’s plans for expansion in Las Vegas.
During the interview, V’landys joked about trying to convince President Biden to attend the NRL’s double-header in Las Vegas in March. He also highlighted the NRL’s recent advertising campaign in the city, proclaiming rugby league as Australia’s biggest sport to be unleashed next year. This claim sparked a wave of debate, with AFL fans chiming in to dispute the assertion.
Barr questioned V’landys about the validity of his claim, citing television ratings as evidence. She mentioned figures of 3.5 million viewers for the NRL, 3.8 million for the AFL, and a whopping 7.1 million for the Matildas (Australia’s women’s national soccer team). V’landys defended his statement by emphasizing that he was referring to the entire season, not just a few games like in the case of the Matildas.
The conversation took a light-hearted turn as V’landys challenged Barr to inform her bosses at Channel 7 that there were more television stations than just their own, and they should consider bidding for rugby league rights. He even took a playful jab at the AFL, forgetting its name momentarily. Barr jokingly suggested they go to a commercial break, acknowledging the escalating volume of protests from her bosses.
While the interview was cut short, V’landys congratulated Barr on the White House dinner and encouraged her to relay his regards to Channel 7’s CEO. He reiterated that the NRL was ready for their bid whenever they were.
This playful exchange between Nat Barr and Peter V’landys highlights the ongoing rivalry between rugby league and Australian Rules football. With both sports having dedicated and passionate fan bases, debates about which is the bigger sport in Australia often arise. While TV ratings provide one metric to measure popularity, there are various factors to consider, such as attendance, participation rates, and overall cultural significance.
As the NRL looks to expand its reach and strengthen its presence internationally, it aims to showcase its product in Las Vegas, a city known for its entertainment and spectacle. Whether rugby league can truly claim supremacy over the AFL remains a contentious topic, but one thing is for sure – the rivalry between these two sports is as fierce as ever.
