5pm Grand Final confirmed for NRL 2008

The National Rugby League has today announced that the 2008 Telstra Premiership Grand Final will kick off at 5.00pm AEST and 4.00pm in Queensland. The decision recognises strong community support for a daytime match, it also avoids heat issues that can negatively impact an October Grand Final and ensures that the match telecast remains accessible to millions of fans in metropolitan and regional Australia, particularly those in Queensland. The change in time slot was endorsed by both the NRL partnership Executive and NRL Board today after the views of fans and clubs were taken into account, along with the need to ensure that the game maximises its sponsorship and audience opportunities.