TSN broadcasting Canadian Rugby games for RWC 2011

I am very happy to hear that every Canadian pool game as well as the quarter-finals, semi-finals, bronze and final match will be broadcast on TSN and TSN2.  The best part is that they will be broadcasting in HD as well.  Not that I have a 3D capable TV, but I wonder if they are considering that as well given that the feed is available in 3D.   It has been a long while since TSN has supported the rugby community in Canada, I am happy to see they are back and I hope that this relationship improves and we get more coverage of Canadian sports rather than the current coverage of poker events and repetitious sporting news summaries.

This is the media release I found on the Rugby World Cup 2011 website:

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has announced the appointment of TSN as Canada’s television broadcast rights holder for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.

In a deal that will deliver unprecedented coverage of Rugby’s showcase event to Rugby fans in Canada, TSN will televise all of Canada’s Pool matches, the quarter-finals, semi-finals, Bronze Final and Final from both Tournaments in High Definition on its TSN and TSN2 channels.

Extensive television coverage will be enhanced with comprehensive multimedia coverage, ensuring that fans will be able to keep up to date with every try, tackle and pass as they happen via TSN.ca and TSN Mobile TV.

RWCL Managing Director Mike Miller said: "This announcement represents a significant boost for the reach and profile of Rugby in Canada.”

“TSN is Canada's leading sports broadcaster and is renowned for its high quality broadcasting of major international sports events. They will bring their unique sound, style and passion for live sport to a Tournament that is firmly established as one of the world’s premier sports events.”

Rugby World Cup 2011 represents the first time that international Rugby has been broadcast on TSN since 1995 and the announcement underscores the network’s commitment to covering a sport that is growing in profile in Canada.

Stewart Johnston, President of TSN, said:  “Rugby World Cup is a huge, internationally-celebrated event that attracts billions of viewers from across the world and continues to grow in popularity in Canada,”

“We are looking forward to showcasing Rugby’s marquee event to Canadian sports fans across all TSN platforms as the Canada team takes on some of the finest teams in the world.”- from rugbyworldcup.com

From the TSN website:

Canada–United States International Friendly Matches 

TSN also confirmed today that the network will broadcast Team Canada's two upcoming international friendly matches against the United States. Team Canada takes on the #17 ranked United States at BMO field in Toronto and TSN will have live coverage on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. ET.  The two rivals face-off again in Denver on Aug.13 at 9 p.m. ET airing live on TSN2.

So mark your calendars as the games are approaching quickly... just a week away from round one!