Hey guys,

The Rugby World Cup is just about to kick off are there anywhere that will be playing the games live or other? Just wondering how we can watch the games in Kunming?

Due to the lack of interest in Rugby in this part of the world i'm not sure which channel (if any) will be playing the games. I was planning on watching the games online, which isn't ideal, so if anyone has any suggestions i'm all ears...
It appears the earliest games are at 9am Beijing time and the latest at 4.30 - 5pm Beijing time so probably more likely to be able to catch the later games if anywhere is showing them...

There is little hope. Even myptop.eu has been taken offline so it will be hard to find the games online, and even if you do the stream is often unreliable. Best advice is to head to the East coast for 6 weeks. SZ and GZ bars will def be showing the games.

Looks like the games are being shown on ESPN Star Sports...anywhere with this channel???

If it is the case that it will be shown on the Mainland ESPN Star Sports, then try some of the better hotels. Either they may show the games in the in-house bars, or you may be able to get a group together and hire out a room.
Remember that Hong Kong and Mainland channels often show different sports.

I'm assuming that the release printed below (issued 17 August) means that those with satellite and Star Sports will be able to view World Cup games!

ESPN STAR Sports awarded RWC Asia rights
(RUGBYWORLDCUP.COM) Wednesday 17 August 2011

ESPN STAR Sports awarded RWC Asia rights
Asia's number one side Japan heads to RWC 2011 as Pacific Nations Cup champions

Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has announced the appointment of ESPN STAR Sports as broadcast rights holders for Rugby World Cup 2011 to be held in New Zealand.

Under the deal, ESPN STAR Sports will broadcast all 48 matches live across 13 territories in Asia, ensuring that sports fans will see every try, tackle and pass of Rugby's premier event.

Live TV coverage on ESPN STAR Sports' networks will be supplemented with dedicated streaming and video on demand through ESPN Player and MobileESPN in Singapore and weekly highlights programming in several territories.

Rugby participation in Asia has grown by 18% since Rugby World Cup 2007 in France and the announcement further underlines ESPN STAR Sports' commitment to bring the very best Rugby action to sports fans in Asia.

RWCL Managing Director Mike Miller said: "Asia is a major growth region for Rugby and the IRB is committed to ensuring that sports fans across the Region are able to experience our showcase event."

"ESPN STAR Sports is recognised as Asia's leading sports broadcaster and through extensive Rugby World Cup 2011 programming, it will deliver the platform for Rugby to engage new fans across the Region."

ESPN STAR Sports Managing Director, Manu Sawhney, said: "We are delighted to bring the third largest sporting event in the world to Rugby fans across Asia. We have a proud history of Rugby programming and have screened every RWC tournament since 1999, which underscores our commitment to bring the best in worldwide sports to our viewers in Asia."

The deal will see ESPN STAR Sports broadcast all the action in Singapore, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Korea, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Vietnam.

Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off on September 9 with hosts New Zealand against Tonga at Eden Park. The final will be played on October 23.

Anyone know how much it costs to get Star Sports installed in the home?
Doesn't sound like any pubs out there have it - if you own a pub and you do have Star Sports let us know on the forum cos you'll be my new favourite place at least from september 9 to october 23

We looked into it here at Slice of Heaven but the news was all bad and very expensive. It's a shame because we could have had a brilliant time watching it here. Good luck

Thanks anyway Barbara

Is Slice of Heaven a reference to the Dave Dobbyn song of the same name? i.e. could there actually be a 'Kiwi' bar in Kunming?

Hey,

do you know where we can watch the rubgy world cup ???

If someone has it at home, i'll be glad to bring the beers !!!

Thanks