Rugby league players are just like comedians, says Channel 4 host Adam Hills
ADAM Hills believes rugby league players are on a par with comedians, courtesy of Conor McGregor’s coach.
The TV funnyman is the voice of Channel 4’s Super League coverage after the competition secured its first ever free-to-air deal.
And he revealed how working alongside the man who has created an MMA superstar showed him how those in the 13-a-side code are just like those who go on stage making people laugh.
Hills, who plays for Warrington’s Physical Disability Rugby League team, said: “The more time I spend around rugby league, the more I realise the sportsman’s mindset has so many similarities with a comedian’s.
“To the point where I once did an on stage chat show in Ireland and the guest was John Kavanagh, Conor McGregor’s coach.
“He’s sitting backstage, looking at the comedians walk around and he said, ‘You guys look like fighters.’ I was like, ‘Well no-one’s ever said that to me before,’ but he added, ‘This is like being backstage at a UFC event.’
“I went, ‘Do the fighters get this nervous?’ He replied, ‘I’ve had to pull them back in through the toilet window as they were trying to escape the venue.’
“And the more I play rugby league I’ve realised you have your set plays and you go out with a game plan but you need a little bit of ad-libbing. You need to be able to play what’s in front of you.
the latest in rugby league
“I’ve also realised I obsess about comedy the way rugby league players obsess about the game.”
Hills, who travels to and from London for training and matches, is leading the terrestrial coverage, which next airs on Saturday week with Warrington v Wakefield.
And he added to the Out Of Your League podcast: “My first thought was, ‘I’m not the right person for this.’ I don’t think I’m great at presenting rugby league.
“People were saying, ‘You’re the perfect person for this.’ I was like, ‘No I’m not, you want an expert.’ I don’t give any opinions as I don’t think I’m qualified.
“And there’s only so many times I can get away with being a bit s***!”
So far, both league matches on Channel 4 – Leeds v Warrington and Hull v St Helens – attracted average audiences about double what Sky get.
And SunSport understands the extra exposure has resulted in different firms expressing an interest in agreeing sponsorship deals with the competition.
The money for the 10-game deal was never going to make up for the £15 million-a-year fall in the main satellite broadcast contract.
But the intention was to show Super League to a much wider audience – and early signs are that may result in new income.
SunSport understands the competition teamed up with commercial agency giants CSM before the Channel 4 coverage kicked in.
But now they have shown what they are selling on a bigger platform, at least one company has now made an approach.
Sources say talks are ongoing over any possible agreement.