Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[liquor box]

One of the 6 nations telecasts this weekend had the ref's words drown out the commentary.
Fantastic stuff.

The NFL is the best at doing referee commentary, they have a former referee available for contact at any given moment for multiple games.

Decisions like the McReight decision may be correct, but without a proper explanation they make Rugby look confusing. At work today, one of my mates asked me why it was a penalty but it never seems to be called in any other game.

 

[Dan54]

One of the 6 nations telecasts this weekend had the ref's words drown out the commentary.
Fantastic stuff.

I was real impressed with how the conversation between Luke Pearce (the Ref) and Wayne Barnes (TMO) was broadcast, they were real clear exactly what they were looking at and why-very good!

 

[Rob42]

The NFL is the best at doing referee commentary, they have a former referee available for contact at any given moment for multiple games.

Decisions like the McReight decision may be correct, but without a proper explanation they make Rugby look confusing. At work today, one of my mates asked me why it was a penalty but it never seems to be called in any other game.

Adding a ref to the commentary team would be nice, but really, it shouldn't be that hard for former professional rugby players and current professional commentators to understand the laws of their game.

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

Adding a ref to the commentary team would be nice, but really, it shouldn't be that hard for former professional rugby players and current professional commentators to understand the laws of their game.

Surely doing their level 1 would be the first thing you would ask of them.

 

[Rob42]

Surely doing their level 1 would be the first thing you would ask of them.

Yes, I respect that the new commentary team are clearly trying to avoid bitching about the refs, but nevertheless, they can do better. It's crucial if they want to help new viewers of the sport.

 

[Braveheart81]

The McReight no try decision demonstrated why a referee needs to be involved in the broadcast, even if they are waiting by a phone to phone in their opinion.

Being a former Test player does not mean you are an exert on the laws of the game and this was a prime example of how Rugby could really add expertise to the broadcast.

They should be able to easily cover this. It wasn't complicated at all.

 

[Jets]

While I'm not a Gordan Bray fan he was a qualified ref and used to ref games when he came up to Brisbane to work. Had a good understanding of the laws.

 

[Rob42]

While I'm not a Gordan Bray fan he was a qualified ref and used to ref games when he came up to Brisbane to work. Had a good understanding of the laws.

And was prepared to correct his fellow commentators on-air when required.

 

[Braveheart81]

It amazes me that commentators that are generally quite knowledgeable suddenly forget the million times they yelled out "hands in the ruck" when they were playing or watching.

 

[liquor box]

While I'm not a Gordan Bray fan he was a qualified ref and used to ref games when he came up to Brisbane to work. Had a good understanding of the laws.

Wasn't Marto a referee?

 

[Dan54]

Wasn't Marto a referee?

Only at schoolboy level I think'

 

[Pfitzy]

Only at schoolboy level I think'

Matches his commentary level

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I wonder whether a similar concept to the Own the Force initiative could ever work with something similar to the NRC.

Doubt it - short form competition. Next.

 

[Jets]

Wasn't Marto a referee?

He did the level 1 course at one stage but wasn't overly committed to it. He wasn't refereeing week in, week out.

 

[Dan54]

I know a lot of you don't watch Super Ao, but in Chiefs/Canes game on Saturday, Kane Hames was doing commentary work in the box. He a former player(Super and AB) and now a serious ref , coming up through the ranks. I personally find him excellent, and as an ex prop gives some great analysis of scrumming and penalties etc.

 

[Jets]

Maybe Berry and Murphy will be angling for commentary roles when they have finished reffing? Both have played and reffed in professional set ups.

 

[Dan54]

Maybe Berry and Murphy will be angling for commentary roles when they have finished reffing? Both have played and reffed in professional set ups.

Yep but Hames is still on way up as a ref, he only stopped playing because of concussion problems or soemthing. Just think they would be interesting too.

 

[formerflanker]

While I'm not a Gordan Bray fan he was a qualified ref and used to ref games when he came up to Brisbane to work. Had a good understanding of the laws.

I really enjoyed Gordon's rugby calls, especially back in his ABC days.

 

[Pfitzy]

I know a lot of you don't watch Super Ao, but in Chiefs/Canes game on Saturday, Kane Hames was doing commentary work in the box. He a former player(Super and AB) and now a serious ref , coming up through the ranks. I personally find him excellent, and as an ex prop gives some great analysis of scrumming and penalties etc.

All of the above places Pfitzy as the perfect addition to the Stan team - desperately short of front row knowledge as they are.

And I do watch SRA because it is an insight into what they're doing across the ditch. I'm also comforted that New Zealand Rugby is behind Australia in refereeing

 

[The Nomad]

It’s not broadcast related , but Wayne Smith had his farewell article in the Australian today .

Well done to a quality journalist!

He and Jim Tucker retiring in the past year leaves a big hole fir rugby reporting .