NRL stars Josh Addo-Carr and Reece Walsh, along with NRLW counterparts Ali Brigginshaw and Jamie Chapman, are stepping up to settle one of Australia’s longest-standing sporting debates: which footy code reigns supreme? This question will be tackled in Rivals, a new series exclusive to Kayo Sports, where top rugby league players face off against their counterparts from Aussie Rules and Rugby Union.
Rivals is set to premiere on March 1, following the Las Vegas NRL season opener. This eight-episode sporting challenge, filmed on Hamilton Island, promises to provide a definitive answer to the age-old question, with Fox League’s Lara Pitt and former Richmond Tigers premiership player Jack Riewoldt co-hosting the series.
The Great Footy Debate
The announcement of Rivals comes as the debate over which footy code is the best continues to divide fans across Australia. Lara Pitt, a seasoned sports journalist with 17 years at Fox League, acknowledges the intensity of this rivalry. “There really is no bigger competition between these three codes,” Pitt said. “Every fan, every media outlet will have a different opinion, but Rivals finally provides the ammo to settle the score.”
To ensure a fair and scientific approach, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was brought in as the high-performance partner for the show. “The AIS compiled a series of science-backed performance tests to create our Rivals performance index,” Pitt explained. These tests aim to simulate real match conditions, evaluating key attributes of elite performance, teamwork, and mental resilience.
Tribalism and Team Spirit
Jack Riewoldt, a three-time premiership winner with the Tigers, emphasized the unique tribalism that Rivals brings to the fore. “They were representing their codes and, importantly, the fan bases of their beloved sports,” Riewoldt said. The show pits athletes against each other in tests of speed, power, strength, endurance, and coordination, all under the sweltering heat of Hamilton Island.
“Importantly, there is no home ground advantage here, so we can eliminate that from the debate. There’s no specialist loopholes as well. Just a perfect level playing field,” Riewoldt noted.
Riewoldt also couldn’t resist a playful jab at Josh Addo-Carr, known for his infectious laugh. “If there is a laughing challenge you’re going to win,” he teased. Addo-Carr, known as “The Foxx,” took it in stride, showcasing his competitive nature throughout the series.
Challenges and Insights
The series not only tests physical prowess but also mental fortitude. Jamie Chapman, a star for the Titans and Jillaroos, spoke about the strength challenges. “Strength is a massive component of all of our sports,” Chapman said, reflecting on the competition against other codes.
Ali Brigginshaw, a retiring legend from the Maroons and Broncos, highlighted the unique experience of forming a team with NRL and NRLW players. “I just loved the challenge,” she said. “To see us come together as a team, we would never get to play alongside the boys here.”
As Rivals prepares to hit screens, it promises to fuel discussions in households, group chats, and pubs across the nation. The show aims not just to entertain but to serve as a springboard for the ongoing debate over Australia’s greatest footy code.
With the involvement of top athletes and scientific backing from the AIS, Rivals is poised to offer an unprecedented look into the strengths and challenges of each footy code. As the series unfolds, fans will be eagerly watching to see which code claims the ultimate bragging rights.
