Tina Turner, Jimmy Barnes and the NRL: Simply the Best

Tina Turner’s promotional campaign for the NSW Rugby League debuted a new commercial in 1992 that saw her harmonising with Aus-rock hero Jimmy Barnes on ‘The Best’, her signature hit from 1989.

This ad offers a more serious and cinematic iteration of the campaign than the earlier version, with a gritty black-and-white intro, and a greater focus on game play. It takes us inside the rooms for (rather obviously staged) pep talks from the coaches. But the focus of the crowd reaction shots is still firmly on women.  

Turner – all smiles and thumbs-ups, sharing cuddles and laughs with Barnes – seems to be having a ball. And the ad continued the success of the league's campaign in attracting female and family audiences to the sport. Released in Australia as a single, the Turner-Barnes 'Simply The Best' climbed to No. 13 on the charts.

Explore more Tina Turner rugby league ads