McGuire Media to produce Nine's new NRL reality show
Foxtel’s AFL format gets a makeover for Nine's The NRL Rookie
The NRL Footy Show has announced that Nine, in conjunction with the National Rugby League and Telstra, will make a new TV series The NRL Rookie, a new reality series that will give one amateur player the chance to turn pro with one of the NRL clubs. The new series, produced by McGuire Media, will scout Australia and overseas to uncover the NRL’s next big star, who will be offered a one-year professional contract with one of the 16 NRL clubs. The new program uses the same format as the AFL series The Recruit which McGuire Media made for Foxtel last year.
Entries for The NRL Rookie are now open online, and after state-by-state and Auckland trials the successful candidates will travel to Sydney, living together and undergoing intensive training to become an elite NRL player.
As the 10-part program progresses, the number of rookies will be reduced until the winner is awarded a contract with an NRL club on a special live finale broadcast.
The new series will screen on Nine in 2016.
