Capitanes de Arecibo 92:114 Cangrejeros 
Aguada Santeros 98:90 Piratas de Quebradillas 
Criollos de Caguas 104:80 Leones De Ponce 
Gigantes de Carolina 85:123 Osos de Manati 
Caneros 82:85 Metros de Santiago 
Ringwood W 58:53 Frankston W 
Rizal Golden Coolers 84:70 Bulacan Kuyas 
France U17 93:57 Japan U17 
Italy U17 80:131 USA U17 
Ringwood 99:93 Frankston 
Bataan Risers 95:102 San Juan Knights 
Romania U20 69:95 Serbia U20 
Cameroon U17 64:104 Canada U17 
Lithuania U17 78:68 China U17 
Pasig City 55:93 Quezon Huskers 
Serbia U17 97:71 Ivory Coast U17 
Venezuela U17 47:75 Australia U17 
New Zealand U17 49:42 Slovenia U17 
Puerto Rico U17 42:63 Turkey U17 
If you’re tuning in to watch the Nations Championship matches this July, you might notice something different. The television network has decided to pause the in-play scrum adverts that usually appear during the games. That means no short commercials popping up on your screen while the players set up for a scrum.
This change applies to the July Tests only. The network hasn’t explained exactly why, but it gives viewers a chance to enjoy the action without those brief interruptions.
What Are Scrum Adverts?
Scrum adverts are short 20-second commercials that broadcasters play during scrums. Because scrums take a few moments to set up, the network fills that time with an ad that appears in a small box on the screen. It allows the broadcaster to keep showing the game while still running a commercial.
These adverts have become common in rugby coverage. They let networks earn revenue without cutting away from the live action. But some fans find them distracting, so the pause might be a welcome break.
Why the Pause?
The network hasn’t given a detailed reason for pausing the scrum adverts in July. It could be a test to see how viewers react. Maybe they want to gather feedback or adjust the format before bringing them back.
Whatever the reason, it’s a temporary move. The 20-second slots are scheduled to return for the November international matches. So fans can expect to see them again later this year.
Plan to Bring Them Back in November
The pause is only for the July Tests. The broadcaster has confirmed that the scrum adverts will return in November. That means the same 20-second in-play ads will be back for the autumn internationals.
For now, enjoy the July matches without the extra commercials. But keep an eye out for them when November rolls around.
What This Means for Fans
In short, rugby fans get a cleaner viewing experience during the Nations Championship in July. No scrum adverts means fewer distractions during the game. However, this is only a short-term change.
If you prefer watching without those mini-commercials, July is your month. By November, the network plans to bring them back. So make the most of the ad-free scrums while they last.