The Seven Network have made inroads on the Nine Network’s monopoly on free-to-air rugby league, claiming the broadcast rights to the 2017 World Cup.

The network will broadcast all 28 matches played in Australia live on one of their channels during the event between October 27 and December 2 next year, with other games to be played in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Seven broadcast the last World Cup in the Northern hemisphere through secondary channel 7mate, however the Nine Network had the rights to the last one played in Australia in 2008.