Yvonne Sampson will join NRL 360 on FOX LEAGUE as co-host from Monday, June 28 at 6.30pm, when the show resumes ahead of round 16 of the NRL.
Stepping into the role permanently, following the departure of Ben Ikin, Sampson will sit alongside co-host Paul Kent as the flagship program moves into a new era.
Fox Sports Executive Director, Steve Crawley, said:
“Ben is very hard to replace. He is recognised as a voice of reason, youngest ever Origin player, played for Australia and you’d have to walk a long way to find someone that doesn’t like Ben Ikin, and Vonnie is the same.”
“I watch people’s reactions to Vonnie and she is one of the very few prominent television people who isn’t criticised. I’m sure there has been some critical comment here and there – that’s life. She is very well accepted and that’s because of the way she presents herself on television. There is no tokenism. She is as authentic as there is. She’s earnt a place in the top bracket of Australian sportscasters.
“This is a big gig NRL 360 – it’s the show for rugby league people. I’m not talking about just pay television but free to air and radio. There is no better rugby league show for the purists and people who live and know the game than NRL 360.”
Sampson has enjoyed a stellar career and is one of the premier faces in rugby league.
Having begun her career on the Sunshine Coast with Seven Local News, Sampson enjoyed time at Sky News Australia, Nine News in Brisbane and Nine in Sydney where she hosted NRL and State of Origin. In 2017 she joined Fox League to become the face of the only 24/7 rugby league channel in the world.
NRL 360 show regulars Lara Pitt, Phil Rothfield, Ray Hadley, James Hooper, Paul Crawley, Benji Marshall and James Graham will all remain on the program.
ROUND 16 – 2021 NRL TELSTRA PREMIERSHIP SEASON
Monday, June 28
6:00PM NRL TONIGHT
6:30PM NRL 360
Paul Kent, Yvonne Sampson, James Hooper and Phil Rothfield
Tuesday, June 29
6:30PM NRL 360
Paul Kent, Yvonne Sampson, Ray Hadley, Paul Crawley and James Hooper
The Player’s Perspective with Benji Marshall and James Graham
7:30PM THE FAN ENCORE
Andrew Voss and Lara Pitt
Wednesday, June 30
6:00PM NRL TONIGHT
6:30PM NRL 360
Ben Ikin, Paul Kent, Lara Pitt, Geoff Toovey, James Hooper and Benny Elias
7:30PM MATTY JOHNS FACE-TO-FACE
Thursday, July 1
7.00PM THURSDAY NIGHT LEAGUE PRE-GAME LIVE
7.55PM ROOSTERS V STORM
Dan Ginnane and sideline with Jake Duke
9.45PM THE LATE SHOW WITH MATTY JOHNS
Matty Johns, Fletch, Hindy and Gorden Tallis
Friday, July 2
5.00PM FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY ON FOX
6.00PM WARRIORS V DRAGONS
Andrew Voss and sideline with Lara Pitt
8.00PM PANTHERS V EELS
Dan Ginnane and sideline with Jake Duke
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY ON FOX POST-GAME
Saturday, July 3
12.40 NSW CUP LIVE MOUNTIES V BLACKTOWN
2.30PM SUPER SATURDAY LIVE
Hosted by Yvonne Sampson
3.00PM BULLDOGS V MANLY
Matt Russell and sideline with Hannah Hollis
5.30PM RAIDERS V TITANS
Dan Ginnane and sideline with Megan Barnard
7.20PM KNIGHTS V COWBOYS
Andrew Voss and sideline with Jake Duke
9.20PM SUPER SATURDAY POST-GAME LIVE
Hosted by Yvonne Sampson
Sunday, July 4
1.00PM SUNDAY TICKET
Hannah Hollis, Cooper Cronk, James Graham and Braith Anasta
2.00PM BRONCOS V SHARKS
Andrew Voss
4.00PM WESTS TIGERS V RABBITOHS
Warren Smith and sideline with Matt Russell
6.00PM SUNDAY NIGHT WITH MATTY JOHNS
Matty Johns, Fletch, Hindy and Emma Freedman
7.00PM BIG LEAGUE WRAP
Lara Pitt, Mick Ennis, James Hooper and Steve Roach
NSW ORIGIN III TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
