It was the riskiest advertising campaign in the history of rugby league, but at the end of it all Tina Turner helped rejuvenate the sport all over the world.
On Wednesday, Turner, 83, died at her home in Switzerland after a long illness, with tributes duly pouring in for one of the music industry's biggest icons. But the impact on sporting circles of the 12-time Grammy winner, widely dubbed the 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll', has also been hailed.
And her affiliation with rugby league dates back to 1988, when she was recruited by the NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) in a far-fetched bid to reignite interest in the Winfield Cup. At the time of the gamble, organisers were concerned the competition was struggling to engage fans.
