League Legends Invade Match Fit’s Pitch

A rugby league invasion of Match Fit kicks off next month, with Warner Bros. Discovery promising “the most transformative season yet”.

Here’s the media release:

THE KIWI LEAGUE ICONS TAKING ON THE CHALLENGE IN NEW SEASON OF MATCH FIT – LEAGUE LEGENDS

22 March 2023 – Award winning men’s health docu-series Match Fit, premiering in April on Three and ThreeNow, unveils the new powerhouse coaches and players in season three – set to be the most transformative season yet.

Stepping up as head coaches are two of the country’s biggest names in League – Tawera Nikau MNZM and Ruben Wiki ONZM.

Nikau and Wiki will lead a team of nine former NZ Kiwi league players with over 120 test matches behind them to get back in shape and Match Fit for a grudge match of epic proportions against the one and only Australian Kangaroos.

The players lining up for the challenge are:

Ali Lauiti’iti, once dubbed the Michael Jordan of rugby league, our koro of the group, Paul Rauhihi, once known as a brutal enforcer Hame Lauaki, fearsome former front rower Jerry Seuseu, Henry Fa’afili, Lesley ‘The Volcano’ Vainikolo, one of league’s greatest centres Clinton Toopi, Shontayne Hape and Sione Faumuina.

In their prime, these players were considered bigger, faster, stronger, and generally more explosive. But a decade or two after giving up the black jersey, some of these Kiwi greats have swapped pace for puku, and are facing life-threatening health conditions.

This inspiring docu-series delves deeper into the health realities that face men and their whānau in Aotearoa exploring real solutions we can all embrace.

With just fifteen weeks to prepare for the final match, the men will be forced to dig deep, with the support of trainer Alex Flint to address their health concerns and get back on the field to face their former rivals.

Warner Bros. Discovery Senior Director Production ANZ, Vicki Keogh : “The power of Match Fit – League Legends lies in the willingness of these sportsmen, once at the top of their game, to open up, confront their health issues and embrace the changes needed to rise to the challenge.”

CEO of Pango Productions Bailey Mackey says Rugby League was the natural progression for series three.  “There is a natural bond that exists between the league players, which brings an incredible mix of humour and heart to the screen.”

Match Fit: League Legends will premiere on Three and ThreeNow in April

Match Fit is produced by Pango and made with the support of NZ On Air