The A to Z of the NRL – A is for NRL Advertisement

With most of sport being put on hold due to Coronavirus, and rugby league being the only game, we thought it is the right time to give people some time to kill by launching our A to Z of the NRL – A is for the NRL Advertisement.

We have previously brought you the A to Z of Obscure NRL, which has proven quite popular, but this time we are slowing it down for 26 weeks of NRL A to Z.

Conveniently we are starting off with A, not only because it is the regular start of the alphabet but because it has a great and currently newsworthy subject – NRL Advertisements.

Like most of the NRL strategy of harking back to the 1980’s-1990’s with Retro Rounds and jerseys, the rugby league marketing department wheeled out a revamped version of Tina Turner’s Simply the Best, with all new footage linking the past to present.

To say the this latest ad received mixed review is a slight understatement.

But it does allow us to open our A to Z of the NRL with a look back at the great and grape of NRL Advertisements, so here it is for your Coronavirus spare time.

Next week for B it is Broadcasters.

A to Z of the NRL – A is for NRL Advertisements

SIMPLY THE BEST – Original Version

The original Simply the Best was as the song title implies. 

Arguably a step up from the first Tina turner song/NRL ad, it seemed just little more moody, professional, and had more Sam Backo than the previous video. Something that is always welcomed. It also helps that the footage is finished off with the footage of the greatest grand final of the era, with the marvelous try from the obscure Steve Jackson sealing the first Canberra title.

With the original being so good, it was always going to make it hard to re-create it to the same popularity. 

SIMPLY THE BEST – Current Version

Despite the best intentions, the new Simply the Best NRL advertisement has become the Godfather III. A few decades late, takes itself way too seriously, and not very popular.

We like the throwbacks of younger players, but it still misses for us.

But judge for yourself.

SIMPLY THE BEST – 1995

During our research, we found a revamped ad for the 1995 season.

You almost forget the South Queensland Crushers existed….

WHAT YOU GET IS WHAT YOU SEE – The Original Tina Turner NRL Theme

Some may forget, but this Tina Turner song kicked off the NRL’s love affair with Tina Turner.

Nothing should sell rugby rugby league more than Martin Bella in a North Sydney singlet, a sweaty Benny Elias, or a shirtless Cliffy Lyons.

Like current day NRL it seems awfully biased towards Sydney clubs. Must have been recorded mainly on a Sunday afternoon, at 4pm.

THAT’S MY TEAM

The NRL also used great Australian musical talent to sell the NRL Advertisement.

Our favourite is the delightful reworking of the Hoodoo Gurus’ What’s My Scene to That’s My Team.

Although the footage of fist fights shows it is from a different era.

We guess the NRL can use a few more Hoodoo Gurus songs for current NRL. 

• 1000 Miles Away for the NZ Warriors
• I Want You Back for Sonny Bill Williams
• Head in the Sand for NRL Administration
• Castle In THe Air for use of private jets to keep season going

In the meantime, enjoy the ad.

JESSICA MAUBOY’S AD FROM 2013

Another Australian musical talent was used to pump up the NRL, and the ad itself is quite good.

The transitions from backyard to the NRL are pretty cool, and you can’t deny she can sing, if you like it or not is another question.

A decent modern day effort.

ROBBIE WILLIAMS LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU – 2015

Another decent effort from the NRL, it helps to have a song that seems perfect for use of footballing montages.

Not sure if Robbie Williams is a Titans fan or a Parramatta fan from way back, but the song/viedo works regardless.

BLOW THAT WHISTLE, REF

OK, so who’d thought the NRL and poetry would mix?

Few can doubt the writing ability of Thomas Keneally, but the ad certainly was an out there idea.

One that we can say we still like it.

VIDEO HERE COURTESY OF VINTAGE RUGBY LEAGUE FACEBOOK PAGE

SO, WHICH IS THE BEST OF THE NRL ADVERTISEMENTS?

As we progress through the A to Z, we’ll keep a tally of who wins each A to Z for the definitive A to Z of the NRL by season’s end or September, whichever comes last.