ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Sport
THE GAME OF LOVE
Sky TV is reportedly preparing for a “noticeable uplift in casual engagement metrics” this weekend after All Blacks selectors confirmed Ruben Love will start in the upcoming Test, a decision already being described internally as “broadcast gold.”
Twenty-three-year-old Aucklander Sophie Pethica says she has suddenly found herself extremely interested in tomorrow night’s All Blacks test against France.
“I’d seen Ruben play for the Hurricanes a few times and knew he was in the AB’s frame. But when I saw he was named yesterday, I ended up feeling flushed for the rest of the day,” she said, while also having a scroll through his Instagram.
Pethica added she was “not usually that into rugby,” but admits she sort of has a strange crush on Ruben, much like she had with the guys from One Direction growing up.
“My dad thinks I’m finally getting into the All Blacks. I haven’t corrected him yet. I keep saying it’s about the team, but I’ve also checked the starting XV about six times just to be sure.”
Sky TV, meanwhile, has confirmed it is bracing for a spike in what one executive referred to as “non-traditional rugby curiosity demographics.”
“We don’t like to reduce audiences to narratives,” the spokesperson said, before adding, “but yes, we’ve noticed significant interest spikes when certain players are named, and Ruben Love is… very effective in that space.”
More to come.
