Where to for quality Rugby journalism???

[Braveheart81]

Who the hell will cover the game in NSW? Will Robinson get a wider scope along with another journo?

Reassuring to see our Rugby journo down here still in a job.

They'll probably be covering more than they were previously though.

 

[badabing59]

We need to act quickly to turn that around, lest we become the kind of nation that thinks "Fox and Friends" and "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" are real news programs.

The daily show is not real news??? damn!

Ive watched Fox and friends quite a few times, and they are the only hosts on tv Ive ever really wanted to punch. And that includes Gretchin.

 

[Badger]

Maybe Fairfax will outsource rugby reporting in NSW to the Tahs Rugby Media Unit or just use their press releases.

 

[daz]

Have just penned a column for the front page about rugby journalism. Check it:

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/the-four-harsh-realities-of-modern-rugby-journalism/

Nice one baa-baa. A very good article.

While I agree with the fact that journo's do need to walk the knife edge in regards criticism and applause, I do think that it works both ways.

There is less dedicated rugby coverage so therefore, less ways for the ARU to spruik or get the good word out to the masses. I think the ARU will wake up one day and realise that they can slam doors in peoples faces as much as they want, but all that will do is reduce the media footprint.

AFL and NRL are both sitting on gazillion dollar media deals. Rugby is a smaller game but it is played at Super level in 5 states/provinces, plus the international arena. There should be more than 1.5 people in the Oz media assigned to it. The ARU should embrace reporting, warts and all, not sniff disdainfully at those who want to write about rugby.

Sites like GAGR et al fill a gap for rugby fans, and not just the ability to rant about whatever we want, when we want. Of course there is a lot of fluff and hyperbole in these pages (rightly so!), but mixed in there is some real discussion with real fans who love this game. And the Matthew Burke syndrome aside, some of us even have a bright idea from time to time.

We talk about sensitive issues because almost no-one else is. Of course, we are the unwashed masses and do not have the inside scoop, but as Oscar Wilde has noted, there is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.

Your point is very well taken. It would be nice for the powers that be to take ours as well.

 

[kronic]

They'll probably be covering more than they were previously though.

This can be positive and negative.

The positive is obviously greater coverage. The negative can be the lack of connection between the reader the writer. The emotional investment coming through.

 

[Braveheart81]

This can be positive and negative.

The positive is obviously greater coverage. The negative can be the lack of connection between the reader the writer. The emotional investment coming through.

No, I meant that the rugby guy in Melbourne (assuming you're talking about The Age) will now be covering more other sports too.

There won't be a decrease in AFL news because they've ditched journos who previously just reported on the AFL.

 

[East Coast Aces]

Here's an option

 

[Braveheart81]

Here's an option

After Matt Giteau, there was a resounding vote for no more crabbing in Australian Rugby.

 

[East Coast Aces]

After Matt Giteau, there was a resounding vote for no more crabbing in Australian Rugby.

I see what you did there.

 

[kronic]

No, I meant that the rugby guy in Melbourne (assuming you're talking about The Age) will now be covering more other sports too.

There won't be a decrease in AFL news because they've ditched journos who previously just reported on the AFL.

Yeah, he covers League, Swimming and Motor Sport too. We don't have a dedicated writer. However I believe Rugby is his main field.

 

[Paddysboy]

Here's an option

Thanks for my laugh for the day. Must be time for a bourbon.

 

[Dam0]

SUNDAY MAUL

​

Former Springboks coach Peter de Villiers is the master of putting himself and others into trouble. Now Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and ARU official David Nucifora will probably be miffed with several sentences in his recent autobiography, Politically Incorrect. De Villiers explains how he got into trouble with remarks he made that insinuated the All Blacks in the lead-up to last year's World Cup received an easy ride from referees because they were hosts. De Villiers explains he met Deans and Nucifora in Bloemfontein, and ''they told me that they felt the same way I did''. ''Their suggestion was that the coaches should stand together against any indication that the international referees and the IRB were favouring New Zealand or, by the time all our teams arrived in New Zealand for the World Cup, the All Blacks might have an unfair advantage. I told Robbie that I would throw my lot in with him, provided that we did indeed all band together and I would not be left as man alone again. Robbie then contacted some of the other international coaches, but as far as I could gather someone high up put an end to it. So nothing really changed.''

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/u...eans-on-deans-in-his-book-20120901-2575k.html


I don't know about anyone else, but I reckon PDV is full of it. I highly doubt any such conversation took place, and I have trouble thinking that Deans went around soliciting support from international coaches, and that a shadowy figure from high up stopped Deans' investigations.


To be fair, Growden doesn't appear to believe any of this either, and it is written as a bit of a dig at PDV.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Think it is just a column filler from a writer who is a little disappointed that their employment is shortly to be terminated.

BPT is thumbing his nose at the Fairfax decision makers.

Surprised he hasn't started a campaign through his gossip column and his mates Radio, the Wizard and WIFI for P Divvers to be the next Waratahs Head Coach.

Don't give the Troll any air.

 

[Schadenfreude]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ru...the-greatest-rugby-union-talent-to-Japan.html

I'm surprised this guy can type with his tongue that far SBWs arse.

Sonny Bill Williams - the misery of losing the greatest rugby union talent to Japan

 

[barbarian]

Best article GG has written for ages.

For decades, rugby's grassroots supporters have followed a ritual. They head to a suburban ground, go straight to the canteen, buy a copy of the Rugby News match program, and while waiting for first-grade kick-off, pore through the pages, finding out everything that's happening in the game.

If they can't make the match, they turn on the television and watch the ABC's coverage of the Shute Shield.

Sadly, this ritual is about to end. After grand final day Rugby News will be no more, and there are serious doubts the ABC will cover next year's club premiership.

At a time when the Sydney competition is teetering, with the first-grade premiership not having a major sponsor for two years and clubs suffering grant cutbacks of more than $20,000 a year, the disappearance of Rugby News after 89 years and the anticipated departure of the ABC are gut-wrenching blows.

If you think the top level of Australian rugby is in a sickly state, particularly after how the All Blacks have shown how second rate the Wallabies are, it is not too bright at the lower levels either. The Sydney club scene is the concrete foundation of Australian rugby and, if it cracks, the whole structure can easily collapse.

Not having a club program or television coverage will just broaden that crack.

When I wrote in Ruck & Maul on Friday that Rugby News would be no more, it prompted an enormous response, with countless club diehards getting in contact to explain how important the publication is to the local rugby scene. A typical remark was: ''Don't the rugby heavyweights know that it is as crucial for a lower grader from a minor club to see his name in the program, as it is for a Wallaby? After all, they are each integral cogs in the same game.''

The weekend's Rugby News provided endless reasons it must not be allowed to die. In its 32 pages was a treasure trove of information, including updates on next year's British and Irish Lions tours, profile pieces on important club identities, news surrounding promising Colts players and even where certain Gordon lower graders had their infamous bucks night. It was as always an enriching read.

The ABC's coverage of the semi-finals was of a similar high standard. Since April 6, 1957, when the ABC telecast from Chatswood Oval its first ''live'' rugby union match, the network's broadcast of Shute Shield games has been one of the code's most important promotional tools.

For many, their first touch with the game was hearing Cyril Towers, Norman May, Trevor Allan, Gordon Bray, Ron Davies, Jim Maxwell, Peter Longman and co calling the club match. Here you discovered the passion, camaraderie and near brethren status of the district game.

And with it marvellous memories, such as when the legendary ''Nugget'' May tried to interview the Sydney University captain when they had won the grand final, and was just about to start when a group of delirious students grabbed the skipper, lifted him onto their shoulders and whisked him away. May stood there in disbelief. For one of the few times in his ''gold, gold, gold'' career, he was speechless.

The ABC quality was again on show on Saturday, with Steve Robilliard, Brett Papworth, John Morrison and Jennifer Browning doing a great job covering the Norths-Eastwood knockout match from Manly Oval.

The half-time Rugby Wrap was outstanding. In a few minutes, you discovered everything that was going on in the game, ranging from Bledisloe Cup to excellent footage of the Waratah Shield final between St Augustine's and Oakhill College. Just watching several first-rate schoolboy tries gave you hope all is not lost.

We must all hope and pray that next year Rugby News and the ABC are still with us.

 

[wamberal]

Growden has spent the last ten years criticising and disrespecting the game. He will not be missed. Except perhaps by pie vendors.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Is this a veiled job application from Grumbles for a gig at Rugby News, or with ABC TV Commentary team?

As someone has said on another thread, it seems that this may be a case of a little too little too late, crocodile tears from a correspondent who has done very little to promote club rugby, or provide column inches to Shute Shield and colts.

Is there anyone listening or prepared to take action to prevent what appears to be a downwards spiral?

 

[dave]

Is this a veiled job application from Grumbles for a gig at Rugby News, or with ABC TV Commentary team?

As someone has said on another thread, it seems that this may be a case of a little too little too late, crocodile tears from a correspondent who has done very little to promote club rugby, or provide column inches to Shute Shield and colts.

Is there anyone listening or prepared to take action to prevent what appears to be a downwards spiral?

Ahhh cynicism. Love it! Doubt it's a job application at The Rugby News as his job would be over before it got started - he's just not up to their standard.

And not that I particularly want to stick up for Growden - especially after he writes an spakfiller article where the WBs have apparently already lost - but he does still have his editors to go through, if there are any left. Maybe he writes more but it never sees the light of day (small mercies). Additionally grass roots rugby hasn't been a focus of the ARU so why would it have the attention of the media, let alone the public. We all know the media panders to what the public want to hear not necessarily what is worth hearing. Besides which are there other high profile (or should I say overrated) rugby journos out there writing regularly about grass roots rugby and getting it published?

 

[wamberal]

Dave,

The print media panders to what their advertisers want, as we see in the SMH. That is the way of the world, unfortunately. No advertising, no coverage.

 

[Bruce Ross]

Spot Dave Dennis

Scoop Growden's "Sunday Maul" is apparently running a "Spot Dave Dennis" competition. The photo below appeared this morning with the caption, "Rare sight ... Dave Dennis poses for a photo with a fan during the Big Braai in Perth last week":

I've known Dave Dennis since he joined Sydney Uni from Penrith Colts many moons ago and I'm buggered if I can find him. Perhaps younger members with keener eyesight can assist.
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