Who your least favourite rugby commentator ?

[RedsHappy]

SA have a few different guys calling. Hugh Bladen? Warren Brosnihan.

All commentators are biased.

Phil Kearns is agonizingly poker yourself in the eye with a blunt object bad to listen to. Outwhines a five year old when the Wallabies are losing.

Nisbet is the most biased I reckon. Downright rude at times.

Toss up for me between those two.

Blue, just flipping to the 'most liked', during the S15 many rugby mates and I thought the SA commentators were far superior to the Aus ones (not a major task) and better than the Kiwis (who were also superior to the Aus ones). We found the SA commentators a near-ideal balance of fair, knowledgeable as to laws and technical aspects of play, spoke only when they had something useful to say (highly rare from commentators), didn't talk over one another, and routinely gave credit where it was due to any side or player.

 

[Lee Grant]

Robbie Nock is probably the worst rugby commentator. He does the English commentary for the Top 14 games we get in Oz and it would be good to get $1 for each time he says um or err. He's very affable though, you've got to like the fellow, and to offset his hesitations he has these top expert comment guys like Simon Mannix, the Racing backs coach. Incidentally, they do most of the commentaries from the Paris studio on the live feed but they don't tell you that.

The FoxSports guys Kearns and Martin are poor but we Aussies put up with them because we understand their humour, but they must be horrible for non-Aussies to listen to. They are biased, but surprisingly their commentary in a neutral game, such ase the Wales v Ireland QF, was quite good. Straight man Clarkie and expert Kafe (on back play) are the best of the Fox team and good in any company.

I like Marshall also and another Kiwi Scottie Stevenson, a main commentator.

Mark Robson in Europe is very good with his one liners and Miles Harrison and Stuart Barnes are my favourite team. Ben Kay is the best expert on forward play and Austin Healy surprisingly good on back play.

But this was about the worst? I don't like SA commentators generally because, whilst not as obviously biased like Martin and Kearns, they just talk to one audience and their knowledge of players outside of South Africans is poor and their recognition of overseas players is also bad. I'm looking at you in particular, Hugh Bladen. Matt Pearce is the best main SA commentator for me and comments by Stransky and Skinstad are excellent.

The most biased guy on the planet is not Martin, nor Kearns, but Brian Moore, the expert comments man backing up the excellent straight man Eddie Butler for the BBC. When England got ejected from the RWC I thought of the man who always has a dig about Australia and Aussies when he can (even in club games) and I smiled.

 

[Tongaussie]

NZ - Grant Nisbett. Comes across as an absolute snob.
Aus - Greg Clark. He actually calls the games quite fairly, probably just gotten sick of the same old cliches over the years. Maybe Nick McArdle should have a shot?

 

[DPK]

Blue, just flipping to the 'most liked', during the S15 many rugby mates and I thought the SA commentators were far superior to the Aus ones (not a major task) and better than the Kiwis (who were also superior to the Aus ones). We found the SA commentators a near-ideal balance of fair, knowledgeable as to laws and technical aspects of play, spoke only when they had something useful to say (highly rare from commentators), didn't talk over one another, and routinely gave credit where it was due to any side or player.

On most occasions the SA crew seem to enjoy quality rugby from anyone, which is a good influence on the viewing experience as well as the perspective of the audience.

I mean, even for seasoned footy watchers, a biased commentator can sour the viewing experience, or taint one's recollection of a game.

In addition to this, I think a balanced commentator can rub off on biased viewers. Take KB (Kurtley Beale)'s almost try against Wales last year at the Millenium Stadium; not sure who the colour commentator was but he directed the focus to the spectacle and the talent. Comments like this can really have a positive effect on the way people watch the game, particularly those who are inexperienced.

 

[Bruwheresmycar]

My favorite are SA commentators. They are usually concise, to the point and have good rugby knowledge. I also love the England commentators at times, they just rip into their own team for 80 minutes!

I'm not sure about my least favorite. The aussie commentators can piss me off at times, just annoying and don't even commentate on the game without Greg Clark or Nick McArdle in there moderating the discussion. Grant Nisbet and Justin Marshell can get annoying, I don't know why, maybe listening to them on rugby Challenge has been the final straw...

NZ put together some good commentary teams, as well as pre/post game shows for the super15. I suppose if there is one time I do love the aussie commentary team it is the Australian derby games, the banter is actually funny for that.

 

[Reido]

Murry "I'm a fuckwit" Mexted

 

[DJC]

If I start with the worst and work my way up. - Thankfully the BBC doesn't get much game coverage beyond 6 Nations so I am saved the bias of Brian Moore. If you read his book "Beware of the Dog" you can easily understand why his commentary is so objectionable. According to him, as set out in his book, he has such a chip on his shoulder that it is a wonder he can walk. When ESPN started to cover the Aviva Premiership I took an instance dislike to Austin Healy and his stooge Ben Kay basically because Healey seemed to be so anti Australian it was embarassing. As time has gone on they have grown on me and I would agree with Lee above that the Healy / Kay double act is pretty impressive. Overall best commentators are Justin Marshall and Joel Stransky because they prepared to acknowledge great play but teams other than NZ and SA teams.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

NZ - Grant Nisbett. Comes across as an absolute snob.
Aus - Greg Clark. He actually calls the games quite fairly, probably just gotten sick of the same old cliches over the years. Maybe Nick McArdle should have a shot?

You know who I found surprisingly adept. David Murdoch from Foxsports. He's commentated on a couple of the Force games over the last 2 or so seasons in place of Clark on Aussie doubleheader weekends.

 

[chriscullen]

Marto worst to listen to , kafe is my favorite by a mile for insight into the game.
I'm still disturbed channel 9 are using Ray Hadley this weekend . Il be watching fox as a silent protest.

 

[mark_s]

Any one who whinges about refs' decisions- so that's most of them.

the late great Bill McClaren never did. The closest he ever gets is the '78 Haden and Oliver incident. from memory he said it was unusual and may later have said controversial.

Hate Eddie Butler but he leaves the refs alone. the double act with Brian Moore works

Gordon Bray was always pretty subtle about any criticism about the ref, I think it came form being a ref himself. He did get a little more vocal towards the end of his time at Channel 7 but, over his whole career (which isn't over yet) I thought he was pretty good

 

[Stands]

Clarkie is the best.

 

[Athilnaur]

Stu Wilson drives me nuts. .. Great player, but a twit. Easily the worst.

Marto can also, but I don't mind his one eyed stirring really because that's all it is and in more serious moments he often adds value.

Kearnsey makes me laugh. And he's a better judge of players than many credit him for. I ignore his opinions on ref calls, as just that, opinions.

Kafe and Canno I rate as astute judges of the game. Marshall, Randell also. The rest of the kiwis meh. Skinstadt same category as Marshall, Randell, Canno. Surprisingly I don't rate Horan myself.

Clarkie is a dark horse, I think he usually has a better read than most of what will happen, no easy feat.

Fox team is easily my favourite commentary, because they don't take things too seriously, and they usually try to acknowledge good play by opposition. You just need to apply a logic filter on Marto and Kearnsey

Best is Kafer. Fair, great tactical read. But not funny, need Marto, McCardle and Kearnsey there to keep things light. McCardle also keeps things on track really we, while having some great tilts at the crew.

 

[Ruggo]

Ian Smith
Grant Nissbit
Justin Marshall
Greg Martin
Tim Horan
Stuart Barnes
Greg Clark


The ones I like

Warren Brossnihan (spp)
Tony Jonhson
Joel Stransky
Kearnes and Mexted (good entertainment value)
Grant Fox


The least biased and most knowledgabe are the South Africans. They lack carisma but I think they uphold the spirit of the game well. I enjoy their calls and they are always complimentry of good play from either side.

 

[Ruggo]

McCardle is great value. I rate him but he doesn't call games often.

 

[Eyes and Ears]

My least favourite commentator used to be Dan Crowley but I don't believe he gets a gig anymore.
I also really don't like Tim Horan. He just doesn't fit with the Fox team and I think that the balance of the team is out as a result. I also don't think he brings a lot of insight for a legend of the game.
I don't mind Hugh Bladen but his inability to pronounce Lachie Turner's name annoys me.

 

[Jnor]

McCardle is great value. I rate him but he doesn't call games often.

I rate McArdle too but I don't think I've ever heard him call a game. Would like to hear and see if he's actually decent but I have a feeling he would be - anyone know what his background is?

 

[tigerland12]

I hate all the Aussie commentators except Kafer, who seems to actually know what he is talking about and does it in a professional manner. I do enjoy McCardle and Cannon in the pre-game stuff, they are good value.

I enjoy the Kiwi commentators only when they aren't commentating the All Blacks.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

Robbie Nock is probably the worst rugby commentator. He does the English commentary for the Top 14 games we get in Oz and it would be good to get $1 for each time he says um or err. He's very affable though, you've got to like the fellow, and to offset his hesitations he has these top expert comment guys like Simon Mannix, the Racing backs coach. Incidentally, they do most of the commentaries from the Paris studio on the live feed but they don't tell you that.

The FoxSports guys Kearns and Martin are poor but we Aussies put up with them because we understand their humour, but they must be horrible for non-Aussies to listen to. They are biased, but surprisingly their commentary in a neutral game, such ase the Wales v Ireland QF, was quite good. Straight man Clarkie and expert Kafe (on back play) are the best of the Fox team and good in any company.

I like Marshall also and another Kiwi Scottie Stevenson, a main commentator.

Mark Robson in Europe is very good with his one liners and Miles Harrison and Stuart Barnes are my favourite team. Ben Kay is the best expert on forward play and Austin Healy surprisingly good on back play.

But this was about the worst? I don't like SA commentators generally because, whilst not as obviously biased like Martin and Kearns, they just talk to one audience and their knowledge of players outside of South Africans is poor and their recognition of overseas players is also bad. I'm looking at you in particular, Hugh Bladen. Matt Pearce is the best main SA commentator for me and comments by Stransky and Skinstad are excellent.

The most biased guy on the planet is not Martin, nor Kearns, but Brian Moore, the expert comments man backing up the excellent straight man Eddie Butler for the BBC. When England got ejected from the RWC I thought of the man who always has a dig about Australia and Aussies when he can (even in club games) and I smiled.

Brian Moore, sweet jesus, he is a shocker. Posted this clip elsewhere but this always makes me laugh - Brian Moore losing it during commentary :lmao:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTQWT-B0EBw

 

[dudebudstud]

If you happened to watch the Aus vs SA game on Maori TV this weekend, then you would have heard some horrendous commentary.

This BBC commentator is my favourite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAH3SP5l8OE

 

[barrenjoey]

I stream the matches live , once the only feed I could get was from Japan, couldn't understand a bloody thing ! funny as buggery when he got exited though.