Contact: Peter Williams
Deloitte
Eclipse CEO
+61 3 9208 7629

Contact: Melinda Loew
Deloitte
Media & Communications Manager
0404 058 616

The point scoring in this year’s Gillette Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament has begun with fans in Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain readying to join in the excitement via a new online fantasy football game ‘Try For Your Team’.

Deloitte’s ebusiness consulting practice, Eclipse, engineered and launched the interactive marketing initiative today for the 2006 Gillette Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament on behalf of the Australian Rugby League.

Eclipse CEO Peter Williams said the new campaign follows on the outstanding success of the ‘Origin Invasion’ campaign which helped inspire a packed house for this year’s third Harvey Norman State of Origin match at Melbourne’s Telstra Dome.

“The success of ‘Origin Invasion’ really shows the power of combining innovative technology, viral marketing and some tongue in cheek humour,” Williams said.

“If you get the mix right your audience will do the rest for you and send it on to challenge their mates.

That is real brand engagement. ARL Marketing Director Paul Kind said ‘Origin Invasion’ had an incredible take up by footy fans as well as the innovative campaign engineered in partnership with Eclipse.

“The ‘Origin Invasion’ attracted over 81,000 users, clocking up over 431,000 games and 1,420,158 page views.

“The new Tri-Nations game is great way of promoting the tournament while giving people a bit of fun,” Mr Kind said.

“We’ve already proven that it can have a real impact with in encouraging people to get out and be at the game.  It certainly helps remind them of what’s around the corner.

“The early take up on tickets has been encouraging and the interest levels in all three countries are starting to build.”

In ‘Try for Your Team’ you can choose to be an Aussie a Kiwi or a Brit and battle your way through a mine field of another nations cultural icons.

The real seven week tournament kicks off on October 14 with the final at Aussie Stadium on November 25.

Tickets for the seven Tri-Nations games have been on sale for a fortnight, but for those who can’t wait there’s the chance to strap on the boots and head to the try-line against the nation of your choice. All you need to do is visit www.nrl.com/trinations  

Fans can get tickets to the real game via: www.nrl.com/trinations

Tickets can also be purchased in Sydney and Brisbane from Ticketek, www.ticketek.com.au, 132849; in Melbourne through Ticketmaster, www.tickemaster.com.au, 136100; and in New Zealand tickets are on sale via Ticketek New Zealand, www.ticketek.co.nz.