Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[PhilClinton]

I think the commentators need to be pundits and entertainers with no RA or any other professional affiliations, they need to amp it up a bit.

That's why I liked Rodgers. Horwill was a bit light on - obviously hooper was never going to be vocal because he was negotiating a new contract - morgan is good but still has the oldy goldy wallabies gig.

Isn't Matt Rogers a player agent now? I know he's at least got a couple of NRL players and 7s players on the books. Probably some conflict there, but the NRL don't seem to mind I guess, they have Anasta as one of their main pundits and he manages some of their highest profile players.

Aside from that, I agree the commentary and analysis team shouldn't have any professional affiliation with any of the players or organisation. Amazing that out of all the retired players and media commentators we have the RUPA boss as a panel member, he's arguably going to be the least critical about anyone.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Isn't Matt Rogers a player agent now? I know he's at least got a couple of NRL players and 7s players on the books. Probably some conflict there, but the NRL don't seem to mind I guess, they have Anasta as one of their main pundits and he manages some of their highest profile players.

Aside from that, I agree the commentary and analysis team shouldn't have any professional affiliation with any of the players or organisation. Amazing that out of all the retired players and media commentators we have the RUPA boss as a panel member, he's arguably going to be the least critical about anyone.

Yeah I believe he is. Anasta is very open about it which helps and actively stays out of chat around his players on shows like 360. He will defend his guys though (Ilias at Souths) which is a good thing, but I haven't heard him agitate Clubs when it seems he has a player there and contract chat. He seems open about not liking how Agents operate in self interest and not the players. Seems a few former players are moving into this now which I think is good as there are a lot of parasites out there that can wreck a side.

 

[Rob42]

Yeah I believe he is. Anasta is very open about it which helps and actively stays out of chat around his players on shows like 360. He will defend his guys though (Ilias at Souths) which is a good thing, but I haven't heard him agitate Clubs when it seems he has a player there and contract chat. He seems open about not liking how Agents operate in self interest and not the players. Seems a few former players are moving into this now which I think is good as there are a lot of parasites out there that can wreck a side.

I found Rogers most interesting when talking about pathways, opportunities for young players in general, which he's well qualified to do. If he steers clear of commenting on individuals, no problem.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Yeah I believe he is. Anasta is very open about it which helps and actively stays out of chat around his players on shows like 360. He will defend his guys though (Ilias at Souths) which is a good thing, but I haven't heard him agitate Clubs when it seems he has a player there and contract chat. He seems open about not liking how Agents operate in self interest and not the players. Seems a few former players are moving into this now which I think is good as there are a lot of parasites out there that can wreck a side.

Rogers has the Levi sisters on his roster.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Phone would be ringing.

 

[Members Section]

Phone would be ringing.

All 3 sports went pretty hard

 

[LeCheese]

Amazon officially entering live sports in a reasonably big way

ICC signs exclusive Australian streaming deal with Amazon's Prime Video for rights to ICC tournaments

In the wake of the success of the recent Cricket World Cup, the ICC agrees a deal with Amazon's Prime Video to give the streaming service the exclusive Australian rights to broadcast all ICC tournaments for the next four years.

www.abc.net.au

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Not surprising. Their NFL coverage is excellent

 

[LeCheese]

Not surprising. Their NFL coverage is excellent

Oh yeah, I forgot they had that in their arsenal already. I'm happy with what Stan's doing for rugby, but competition can only be a good thing.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Netflix are testing the waters as well. Did their first live event in Las Vegas with the Netflix Cup Golf/F1 cross over. Novelty entertainment concept for that event but they are getting the infrastructure in place. As the production companies all have their own streaming services it's meant in house content needs to be made.

I like Stan and think it's been good. The 7s is a nice addition along with the Premiership. Personally would love to see them bring in the Cluch sports content with the Schools Rugby since Cluch is gone now. I know BarTV exists but haven't heard anything.

 

[PhilClinton]

Wasn't really sure where to post this but thought I'd drop it here because I hope it gets some media attention and is brought to light during the season.

RWC final TMO steps away due to abuse

The television match official from the Rugby World Cup final stepped away from the international game "for the foreseeable future" on Monday.

www.espn.com.au

Our organisations and even the players themselves need to really get more vocal about the fan base not doing this sort of shit. And not to pick on the players but the constant arguing of decisions on the field to refs these days doesn't help. Not just in rugby either, every call in any sport these days causes an uproar. Might be time that dissent is treated as harshly as tackling above the sternum.

I know it's impossible to completely control behaviours and there are plenty of dickheads in the world. But maybe if we get some messages coming from the players whom these fans are allegedly protecting with their abuse it would help reduce it.

 

[half]

Sorry to those that don't wanta here what others codes and sports are thinking.

This is an article from the Athletic. Interesting to see how others are reacting to things happening around them.

Tennis’ Grand Slams plot deal for ‘premier tour’ that would revolutionize the sport​

Grand Slams plot deal for premier tour that would revolutionize tennis

The Grand Slams teaming up with Masters tournaments could make the sport more sellable and avoid repeat of golf's Saudi battles

theathletic.com

 

[Braveheart81]

SBW - Agree, but I have heard kids love him, so there's that.

I don't have strong feelings either way on SBW but I think he adds some diversity to the panel.

On one hand rugby fans are cognizant that rugby needs to appeal to a broader audience but on the other the person people most want gone from the commentary team is the guy with the closest connection and cultural similarity to a lot of current players.

He's rough around the edges but I feel like that adds some authenticity.

 

[Wallaby Man]

I don't have strong feelings either way on SBW but I think he adds some diversity to the panel.

On one hand rugby fans are cognizant that rugby needs to appeal to a broader audience but on the other the person people most want gone from the commentary team is the guy with the closest connection and cultural similarity to a lot of current players.

He's rough around the edges but I feel like that adds some authenticity.

As someone with Māori background, most of us don’t really care about a diversity breakdown on commentary. First tick on the qualification box is are you a good commentator or analyst, he isn’t either of those. Diversity is way down my enjoyment list

 

[LeCheese]

As someone with Māori background, most of us don’t really care about a diversity breakdown on commentary. First tick on the qualification box is are you a good commentator or analyst, he isn’t either of those. Diversity is way down my enjoyment list

SBW adds a level of diversity to the team over and above his cultural heritage - has a bit of joker about him, uses language and has an attitude which connects more with younger audiences, etc.

 

[Braveheart81]

As someone with Māori background, most of us don’t really care about a diversity breakdown on commentary. First tick on the qualification box is are you a good commentator or analyst, he isn’t either of those. Diversity is way down my enjoyment list

How old are you out of interest?

SBW adds a level of diversity to the team over and above his cultural heritage - has a bit of joker about him, uses language and has an attitude which connects more with younger audiences, etc.

I agree with this and think it is important. He sounds more like the current players he is talking to/about than anyone else in the commentary team.

 

[RebelYell]

I like SBW as a circuit breaker. Not everybody needs to be as knowledgable as Morgs or as polished as Atko

 

[Wallaby Man]

How old are you out of interest?



I agree with this and think it is important. He sounds more like the current players he is talking to/about than anyone else in the commentary team.

That’s alright I don’t mind saying. I’m 39

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

Good to see it’s back. Good content and engagement.

 

[LeCheese]

Two and two would suggest neither RA nor GBR were willing to renew? Seems an interesting choice considering it was seemingly a big success, but happy they're persisting