The NRL’s Multicultural Round is more than just footy—it’s a celebration of the diverse backgrounds that make up the game’s stars, fans, and legends.
This week, Nine’s coverage goes beyond the field, bringing unique cultural stories, pre-game insights, and three blockbuster matchups, starting with the Raiders and Sharks tonight on Thursday Night Footy.
From Latrell Mitchell’s return in the Rabbitohs-Roosters showdown to the latest chapter in the Battle of Brookvale, it’s a round packed with fierce rivalries and rich traditions, all live and free on Nine and 9Now.
From Nine:
NRL ON NINE MULTICULTURAL ROUND – LATRELL IS BACK FOR THE BUNNIES AND THE BATTLE OF BROOKVALE
NRL on Nine will host a Multicultural Round celebration like no other this week when the biggest rugby league rivalries on the field are mixed with the greatest cultures in the world, and it’s all live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission Peter V’landys kicks the round off when he shares an insight into his own journey as a Greek migrant and his life growing up in Australia, before the Raiders host the Sharks on Thursday Night Footy from 7.30pm AEDT.
In the pregame coverage from GIO Stadium in Canberra, Raiders captain Joseph Tapine and Sharks enforcer Addin Fonua-Blake discuss their culture and what it means to them. Raiders coach Ricky Stuart gives his take on how the green machine get the win at home and the clubs highest point scorer in history, Jarrod Croker, also joins the show live.
The longest running and most fierce rugby league rivalry takes over Friday Night Footy when Latrell Mitchell returns for Rabbitohs v Roosters. Mitchell’s fellow Indigenous All Star teammate Cody Walker chats to the panel live, while the man who has stepped foot in both camps, Roosters forward and NSW State of Origin star, Angus Crichton, gives his insight into the rivalry.
Two of the biggest names in the game will meet when The Eighth Immortal Andrew Johns interviews supercoach Wayne Bennett before kick-off. Nine’s Sam Thaiday visits the home of 2024 NRLW Dally M Medal winner Olivia Kernick for a light-hearted edition of the classic Their House segment.
A new chapter in one of the NRL’s greatest modern day rivalries will be written on Sunday Arvo Footy, when the Manly Sea Eagles host the Melbourne Storm in the Battle of Brookvale at 4 Pines Park. Manly and Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans will be out to rally his side behind the 14th man that is their patriotic home crowd at the suburban venue. They’ll need to be at their best to overcome last season’s grand finalists who have no shortage of x-factor that can break the game open with Harry Grant, Cameron Munster and Ryan Papenhuyzen all locked and loaded.
The game is available on Channel 9 in Melbourne alongside every Storm game in 2025 on the 9Network.
In commentary exclusively for Nine’s Wide World of Sports is rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns and fellow premiership winners Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Phil Gould, Johnathan Thurston, Brad Fittler, Paul Gallen, Darren Lockyer, Millie Elliott and Sam Thaiday. Hosted by James Bracey and Danika Mason, plus women’s internationals Ruan Sims and Allana Ferguson, sideline reporters Marlee Silva and Emma Lawrence.
Calling the live action is Mat Thompson, Peter Psaltis and Brenton Speed.
BROADCAST SCHEDULE: NRL ROUND 5 ON NINE:
Thursday, April 3
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – RAIDERS v SHARKS
Sydney 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 6.30pm on 9GemHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 4.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Friday, April 4
FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY – RABBITOHS v ROOSTERS
Sydney 7.30pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 6.30pm on 9GemHD, 7.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 7.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 7.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 4.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Sunday, April 6
WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS – This Week: Ellie Cole, Matt To’omua, Mark Taylor and host Nick McArdle
Sydney / Brisbane – 10.00am on Channel 9
Melbourne / Adelaide / Perth – 12.00pm on Channel 9
THE SUNDAY FOOTY SHOW – Billy Slater, Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler and host Emma Lawrence.
Sydney / Brisbane 11.00am on Channel 9
Melbourne 11.00am / Adelaide 10.30am / Perth 10.00am on 9Gem
SUNDAY ARVO FOOTY – SEA EAGLES v STORM
Sydney 3.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Brisbane 2.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Melbourne 3.00pm on Channel 9HD, stream free on 9Now
Adelaide 2.30pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Perth 12.00pm on 9GemHD, stream free on 9Now
Tuesday, April 8
100% FOOTY – 8.40pm on Channel 9 and 9Now in Sydney/Brisbane.
Special Guest: Jahrome Hughes
Melbourne Storm halfback and the man voted 2024 Dally M Medalist for best player in the game, Jahrome Hughes, joins Phil Gould, Paul Gallen, Cameron Smith to weigh in on the big issues. Host James Bracey will steer the ship, while 9News rugby league reporters Danny Weidler and Michael Chammas bring the latest breaking news each week.
NRL ON NINE DIGITAL THIS WEEK: STREAM FREE ON 9NOW
Six Tackles with Gus
Freddy and The Eighth – Wednesday night on Channel 9 in NSW/QLD, Stream on 9Now
Join Danika Mason, Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler for a unique look at the rugby league world and their take on the biggest moments from the past week with plenty of fun as well.
Marlee and Me – Greg Inglis
