South African commentators setting the standard
Roar Pro
By Matt, 6 Apr 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
Having just watched the Brumbies go around against the Cheetahs, I’m again surprised by the high quality and unbiased nature of the South African commentating.
Imagine how a Kearns, Martin or Mexted would have blown up if their team had just had a legitimate try disallowed by the referee Matt Goddard?
I remember in years gone by having to turn the sound off, so bad was the call from one of the ‘good ole boys’ of the republic.
How times have changed because these guys are now seemingly non-partisan.
Kearns and Martin can occasionally be entertaining, but they don’t call the game well. The Kiwis go from the ridiculous to the sublime in the same sentence. And like Kearns, they get carried away at times.
I think the South African commentators are clearly on the top of the commentating table.
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Harry said | April 6th 2009 @ 10:19am | Report comment
Agree, and I know its been said before, but Greg Martin and Phil Keans need to clean up their act and improve, or be replaced by Kafer. Watched the replay of the Tahs win yesterday, we can do without Greg Martin taking his inane Brisbane radio antics into the rugby commentatary box. It’s not funny, just pathetic.
Hammer said | April 6th 2009 @ 10:27am | Report comment
After every weekend I email foxsports requesting that the viewer has a “live” option to have a choice of switching to the crowd and refs call and not having to put up with the appalling Clark, Kearns, Martin … they are as Harry says pathetic … what’s worse is that a large majority of their calls are wrong
True Tah said | April 6th 2009 @ 10:39am | Report comment
Greg Martin is a classic. David Nucifora was on the Rugby Club talking about the Sevens World Cup, and Martin said he thought sevens rugby was just like touch footy to which David Nucifora replied “Im sure if you asked the players after the game they wouldnt say it was like touch footy”.
His interviewing style consists of asking leading questions.
Im with you guys, its a bit sad that hes one of the best rugby commentators we’ve got, having said that, I would love to see Martin and Mexted in the box at the same time for the comic value.
Brett McKay said | April 6th 2009 @ 10:50am | Report comment
Matt, just wondering, did the commentators say anything about both the Cheetahs and Brumbies playing in white?? Who’s stupid idea was that?!?
stillmissit said | April 6th 2009 @ 11:05am | Report comment
Yes Brett they did and it was stupid.
The missed try was unbelievable and could have had a big bearing on the game. The commentators spoke immediately about the incident but didnt go on about it as Kearns would have, particularly had it been the Tahs.
The commentary was logical, informative and insightful. Great stuff, but it may not suit SA audiences who seem to prefer illogical, biased calls over these guys.
ohtani's jacket said | April 6th 2009 @ 11:22am | Report comment
Best refs, best commentators, best team in the competition… Maybe people will change their tune about a trans tasman competition.
matt said | April 6th 2009 @ 11:44am | Report comment
The commentators could well have taken Goddard (and the touch judges) to task over a few sus calls but were remarkably calm.
PastHisBest said | April 6th 2009 @ 11:57am | Report comment
The ref shouldn’t have let the teams take the field until one of them changed their strip. Ridiculous.
Barry said | April 6th 2009 @ 12:28pm | Report comment
All Martin and Kearns do is complain about the play and make stupid jokes. They do not add anything to the viewing experience. Does anyone know of a radio station that provides commentary on Super 14 games?
matt said | April 6th 2009 @ 1:54pm | Report comment
Radio sports NZ.