Rugby Challenge - New Licenses Announced

Australian-based Home Entertainment Suppliers (HES) have announced a host of new licenses for their upcoming All Blacks Rugby Challenge. This morning's announcement sees the following, previously unknown, licenses join the ones we already know about (including the All Blacks):

• Aviva Premiership Rugby

• TOP 14 Orange

• RaboDirect PRO12

Not only that, but they have also announced the three names by which the (same) game will be known in various parts of the world. They are:

• All Blacks Rugby Challenge in New Zealand,

• Wallabies Rugby Challenge in Australia

• Jonah Lomu Rugby Challenge in Europe

It might not be Jonah Lomu Rugby 2 but seeing the big man's name in association with a new Rugby game is still enough to give a visceral thrill to any who remember the original PS1 classic (which was, for a long time, the number-one selling videogame in New Zealand).

“We are very excited to announce these major competition licenses for Rugby Challenge” said Sebastian Giompaolo, Managing Director for HES. “Inclusion of these top class European club leagues adds great depth and appeal to an already deep title for rugby fans all over the world. With our breadth of content, extensive customisation tools, and various modes, people will be playing this game for years to come”.

The game, which doesn't have an official release date yet, is widely believed to be hitting around the same time as Rugby World Cup 2011 - August 26th, which is two weeks ahead of the actual World Cup kicking off in Auckland on the 9th of September.