Worst Commentator Pole Action

[Scrubber2050]

Horan gives me the shits.

He now even commentates on what he THINKS players are saying to each other.

Just call the action and leave your shitty mind reading to the gypsies.

 

[Braveheart81]

Sumo Stevenson is by far the best.

Insightful and genuinely funny.

 

[wamberal]

The quality of commentary is hugely important for us in Australia. I wonder how many people tune in and then tune out because they just do not understand what it is all about.



The commentary should be more informative and less self-indulgent. Rugby is a bloody complicated game, without dumbing down the commentary too much, all our commentators should be trained to tell the average viewer (not the old hands and rugby tragics, but the casual who strays onto the channel more or less by chance) what they need to know to enjoy the contest as much as possible. Another thing. Viewers need to be reminded from time to time just who the bloody teams are, and where they are from. Build up a bit of interest in the contest. And when a player is yellow carded, build the fact that one team is now short handed into the bloody commentary, particularly when it can have a huge impact, either and/or in the set pieces, or in backline overlaps.


You would think that Fox Sports might actually understand this. Apparently not.

 

[Braveheart81]

The quality of commentary is hugely important for us in Australia.

It's the same issue as refereeing and coaching.

There just aren't adequate pathways to developing into being world class at whatever the role is.

It's not like you can really start a career in rugby commentary in Australia and work your way up the ranks. There are a handful of jobs at most that aren't held by former players.

 

[Scrubber2050]

^^^^^^^
Trouble with Fox and most providers is they think former great players (some are better now than when playing) make the nest announcers.

Not necessarily true.

 

[Braveheart81]

^^^^^^^
Trouble with Fox and most providers is they think former great players (some are better now than when playing) make the nest announcers.

Not necessarily true.

It's the same everywhere though and there's not much you can do to avoid it.

A former player who is an average commentator is better than a non-player who is an average commentator.

It's extremely difficult for someone who wasn't a player to be able to demonstrate sufficient skill and expertise to show that they would be better able to do the job.

The increasing amounts of streamed games with commentary might start changing that as there is more opportunity to get into rugby commentary now (even though it isn't really a career option at that stage).

 

[wamberal]

They could do a lot more to help themselves. For example, I wonder how many of them actually bother to watch the replays, and think about how they could improve their performance. I wonder how many of them actually realise that some of the viewers know nothing about either the game itself, or the teams who are on the field, or even the bloody players.


The frustrating thing is that better and more informative commentary might actually help grow the bloody viewership. You would think that Fox Sports might put some effort into this, rather than the silly gimmicks like pulse rates et al.

 

[Ulrich]

bit surprised at results of this SA online pole visa visa Best Commentator:

41 % Hugh Bladen
6 % Joel Stransky
9 % Kobus Wiese
8 % Matthew Pearce

Thought Stransky would be miles ahead. Personally, I cant stand him. He's all impartial and jovial until the very first second his boys are under the kosh then that goes right out the fucken window.

Hugh Bladen for me for SA commentator at least. Specifically when he was in his prime. He is being phased out unfortunately and he also does not harbour the knowledge he used to. Getting old now I guess. He commentates on away games in Argentina now and that seems to be it.

I HATE Joel Stransky's commentary (He had a major injury during the Cape Epic bicycle race so he'll be out for a while - in hospital currently).

I have never had a problem with NZ commentary. They say what they see and the compliment each team accordingly. Perhaps it is just me but they are perfect and it's always been that way for me.

EDIT: I realise the amount of smoke being blown up NZ arses is intense.

Their commentators are the best for me. You can hear a true love for the game when they speak.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Years ago I started watching international cycling races -TDF, Giro etc, without any knowledge at all of the tactics, individual or team, nor of the different types of racing involved in the different form of the sport. I am much indebted to the likes of Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin for enlightening me along the way, and now we also have Matthew Keenan calling the races, an Aussie who is one of the best, and Mike Tomilaris of SBS whose commentary on the sport is top class. The importance of good commentary cannot be overstated.

One other thing - commentary should be even handed and without bias. Greg Clarke, Phil Kearns et al are very one eyed when it comes to their favourite team, especially it seems if it happens to be the Tahs. This is a lesson that the caller on bar tv needs to learn as well. He gets particularly shrill whenever his side does something. It is enough to make a sane person want to turn the coverage off.

 

[Scrubber2050]

The last word from me on the subject is that the Australian commentators do not service the game properly.

Shit commentary (by whatever standard) does little to engage the viewing audience and does little to entice "newbies" to return for the next game.

Us older tragic heads are little more prone to brush over the shit commentary and watch the next game irrespective of who is "blowing" the microphone.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I HATE Joel Stransky's commentary

looks like at 6% you're not alone there. why is it though? I thought after 95 he'd have a lifetime pass?

A former player who is an average commentator is better than a non-player who is an average commentator.

really enjoy the NBA's "Player's Only" days. Greg Anthony, Rip Hamilton and Kevin Mchale call the game. Even the blowouts/unappealing matchups, you're listening hard to what they have to say. Anthony does the play by play (really surprised to hear he sounds like a 60-year old honky). They really amp up the tech talk, the insider strategical knowledge is just amazing.

Sumo Stevenson is by far the best.

Insightful and genuinely funny.

Love it when he throws in some barely appropriate half-clanger and the booth goes silent. Poor old humour-bypassed Jeff Wilson ill-equipped to know how to respond.

 

[Quick Hands]

Still, should cherish our last few AB tests with Nesbo in the booth becuase once he's out to pasture we’ll get Tony Johnstone for his lifetime tenure, him and his raging hard little cantabs drillbit liberally embellished with his patented anti-Blues gloss. Oh joy. Buffing it. Until it shines.

You guys should bring back Keith Quinn. EDIT: And I do miss Mex

 

[Quick Hands]

^^^^^^^
Trouble with Fox and most providers is they think former great players (some are better now than when playing) make the nest announcers.

Not necessarily true.

George Gregan being the most egregious example

 

[wamberal]

Phil Kearns was really pathetic when he started. He just refused to say anything substantial about the scrums. Never had an opinion. Didn't know what was going on, apparently.


He does say a bit more of substance now. Not much, by the way.

 

[Quick Hands]

Kearns is like Marto, just there for comic relief.

 

[The torpedo]

The quality of commentary is hugely important for us in Australia. I wonder how many people tune in and then tune out because they just do not understand what it is all about.



The commentary should be more informative and less self-indulgent. Rugby is a bloody complicated game, without dumbing down the commentary too much, all our commentators should be trained to tell the average viewer (not the old hands and rugby tragics, but the casual who strays onto the channel more or less by chance) what they need to know to enjoy the contest as much as possible. Another thing. Viewers need to be reminded from time to time just who the bloody teams are, and where they are from. Build up a bit of interest in the contest. And when a player is yellow carded, build the fact that one team is now short handed into the bloody commentary, particularly when it can have a huge impact, either and/or in the set pieces, or in backline overlaps.


You would think that Fox Sports might actually understand this. Apparently not.

Counterpoint: cricket

 

[The torpedo]

Shit commentary (by whatever standard) does little to engage the viewing audience and does little to entice "newbies" to return for the next game.

Cricket says hello

 

[The torpedo]

Didn't know what was going on, apparently.

TBF, no one actually does know what's going on in scrums anyway

 

[wamberal]

TBF, no one actually does know what's going on in scrums anyway

Some know more than others, or they should, shouldn't they? And a former Wallaby hooker should know a lot.

 

[chibimatty]

That Xhosa commentator seems to be enjoying himself...