Rugby fans who live around the Coromandel are being encouraged to connect to ultra-fast fibre (UFB) broadband if they can, to watch many live sports events, including the Rugby World Cup in September.

Telecommunications infrastructure company Chorus is reminding residents they need to connect to the best broadband available to watch the All Blacks defend the World Cup in Japan, as the tournament will no longer screen on Sky Television, but can be streamed live online.

Nine games will be broadcast free-to-air on TVNZ, of which seven will be live and two will be delayed. While these screenings will include the opening and final games, we can't assume the rest of those screened will all be All Blacks' games. The rest of the tournament will be available to view via the Spark Sport app.

Just over 3500 premises in Thames can already connect to ultra-fast fibre, since Chorus completed the fibre build in June last year.

But Chorus says only 26% of those premises' have connected. That compares to the national average uptake of fibre broadband of 50% and increasing, several years into the Government's UFB initiative.

Chorus is urging people not to leave it too late as there are limits to the number of properties it can physically connect by the tournament's start date. So the message is get in early, or you may miss out.

If ultra-fast fibre isn't yet available in your community, Chorus recommends ensuring you've still got the best connection possible and exploring the option of upgrading to a VDSL connection in the meantime, which is as easy as giving your broadband provider a call.

If you can't get the better broadband that you need to watch the game at your place, Chorus suggest thinking about setting up community viewing at schools, cafes or pubs that may have UFB so you don't miss out on the Rugby World Cup action.

Thames-Coromandel Mayor Sandra Goudie says the delivery of fast, reliable fibre is important for the economy, boosting productivity, connecting the community and enhancing their connection to the rest of the world.

'Thames is now plugged into the global mainframe at high speed. We're very excited about how ultra-fast broadband will make a difference for doing business and being connected at home and work," Mayor Sandra says.

'We'd still like to see Hot Water Beach included on the UFB build schedule because it's a huge visitor destination and is in a bit of a network black spot,” Mayor Sandra says.

'We're still lobbying for this to happen while investigating what other solutions could work. We'd also like other areas, including Colville and beyond, Wharekaho, more of the Thames Coast and Coroglen/Whenuakite to have improved broadband and mobile network coverage.”

See what you need to be able to watch at home at: www.chorus.co.nz/streambig