Broadcast options for Australian Rugby

[Wilson]

There seems to be a real reluctance to tactics in any real depth, as if it will just scare the fans off or something. It's the only explanation I can see for it, these guys have been too deeply involved with the top levels of the game in the past decade to understand what's happening behind the scenes.

I guess it might be partially due to the way 91/99 wallabies have dominated the commentary for so long, setting the style that the others now follow, but those aren't the guys running the show anymore so it's not much of an excuse.

 

[Major Tom]

Sure, but has Stan ever gone into the pod structure that Schmidt uses with the Wallabies in any format?

The commentators give the impression that rugby at this level is all eyes up reacting to the opposition, when in reality, it's all planned to the smallest detail (and can be analysised, if you so chose)

Bare minimum, at half time the commentators should be explaining why the scoreline is the way it is (not they scored and they didn't), how the teams are trying to play the game and what should teams be looking to do after the break. Instead, the coverage includes 1. chatting to a player coming off (they're buggered or haven't really seen the vision or stats to make a good comment) and 2. interview the coach right when the play has restarted. Personally, I hate it.

 

[Major Tom]

Not really a "broadcast" thing, but lots of rumours around that the Roar has run out of money to pay the "experts" and are looking to sell to keep operating

I prefer some of the rookie articles anyways. Chips B does a great job of pumping up our junior talent.

 

[Ignoto]

these guys have been too deeply involved with the top levels of the game in the past decade to understand what's happening behind the scenes.

I do wonder whether this is similar to the condrum of, great players don't necessarily make great coaches as they struggle to convey messages to others for something that came natural to them as a player.

Realistically speaking, it only seems to be the NFL where we see broadcasters placing an emphasis on explaining the tactics. Seems like every big play they'll whip out the pen and mark up on screen what happened and why. That only seems to be reserved for hall time tactics in Union.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

NFL does have rather more downtime to fill...

 

[Strewthcobber]

NFL does have rather more downtime to fill...

And certainty that there will be a gap. No quick taps!

The best option is probably more training for the actual refs, and shut the commentators mikes off while he's talking

 

[Major Tom]

Yeah nfl has the time to explore tactics. Stop start nature, 4 quarters, timeouts. It would be hard for rugby to replicate it to that level. Half time just needs to get so much better. AFL will have player focus at halftime. They will talk about pressure ratings and kicking efficiency and they bring it back to the afl average so the average punter can go yeah wow my team is on top! Would be great if we could do something like that. Again, I haven’t watched a halftime show for rugby for a while so maybe it does occur. But I think the panel of commentators should each be made to take a punt on who could change the game or where the game could be won. I don’t even care if they’re wrong.