Wallabies fans dudded by broadcast move for Argentina Test amid fury over state of rugby union

Wallabies fans hoping to watch their side shoot for rare back-to-back away victories are set for more pain on Sunday morning. Despite complaints from some supporters - angered last weekend’s gripping Rugby Championship clash with Argentina was not shown on one of Channel Nine's free-to-air channels – the return bout will also only be available on streaming service Stan.

The Wallabies take on Los Pumas at Santa Fe’s Brigadier General Estanislao López Stadium from 5am (AEDT) Sunday, looking to secure consecutive wins on foreign soil for the first time since 2019. Channel 9 – in conjunction with Stan - has been the home of Australian rugby since 2021 but is not obliged to show Wallabies Tests outside of Australia, with the exception of World Cup fixtures and Bledisloe Cup matches in New Zealand.

Stan, which is owned by Nine Entertainment, broadcasts all Tests featuring the Wallabies along with a host of other rugby tournaments and competitions from around the world. The free-to-air "blackout" came as a surprise to viewers who were up early last Sunday expecting to see their team take on Argentina at rainswept La Plata.

The Wallabies kicked a last-second penalty goal to claim a famous 20-19 victory. "Can someone explain why ch9 have dropped the free-to-air coverage of this game? It was in the programme last week and on game day… it’s not there. Not all of us can afford Stan Sport," one fan wrote on social media.

Another added: "And you wonder why the Wallabies are becoming less and less relevant in the national sporting team landscape… only able to watch this game if you pay for it. Absolute joke."

Stan Sport invested heavily in rugby union broadcast rights

But it seems those same fans have short memories. An insider with knowledge of Australian rugby's broadcast history, who wished to remain unnamed, pointed out coverage has long operated on a split between free-to-air and Pay-TV/steaming operators.

He told Yahoo Sport Australia: "This isn’t a new thing. Previous rights holders didn’t show matches in Argentina or South Africa on free-to-air – it’s the way it’s always been. Stan paid a lot of money for the rights and they'd be reluctant to push it (away internationals) on free-to-air as they have to recoup their money somehow.

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"This gives them a point of difference. They have to get some return on their investment. Their rugby content is pretty good and pretty comprehensive for the price you pay."

Adding to fans' confusion, some publications continue to promote Channel 9 as a free-to-air option for overseas Wallabies Tests. On its official website, Rugby Australia stated: "The Wallabies' second Test with Argentina will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport. "The game is not on free-to-air as overseas Tests are not covered under anti-siphoning laws."