South African commentators setting the standard
Roar Guru By Matt, 6 Apr 2009 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
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.
Recommend this story.
April 6th 2009 @ 3:29pm
Ian said | April 6th 2009 @ 3:29pm | Report comment
The Kiwi commentators are still the worst when it comes to biased commentary. Grant Nisbett is particularly bad. Whenever a call goes against a Kiwi team, their commentators bleat on about it ad infinitum. However, when the opposite occurs, it barely rates a mention. They are so one-eyed that all they can see are the bad calls against their teams. I’m so tired of listening to their cries of indignation.
How I wish there was a viewers choice option so that we could rather listen to the ref, or another commentary team. The Kiwi commentators are a disgrace to their profession.
April 6th 2009 @ 4:27pm
DaniE said | April 6th 2009 @ 4:27pm | Report comment
I have to agree – the relatively unemotional, unbiased commentary is the best to listen to. Whenever I hear “Kearnsy” and “Marto”, I am reminded of teenage boys making smart ass comments… and there’s nothing more painful to listen to. The whole Kearnsy, Marto, Kafes, Clarky thing is so contrived as well.
April 6th 2009 @ 9:47pm
Guy Smiley said | April 6th 2009 @ 9:47pm | Report comment
Brett McKay I think the Brumbies played in white because their blue kit was stolen from the locker room or something. Not sure why the Cheetahs didn’t do the right thing and change into orange. Agree with most of the above – best commentators, best refs (Lawrence, Joubert esp), best stadiums by a mile, best fans (by best I mean most intimdating and passionate), it’s almost the package. Kearns is a bit of laugh but Greg Martin gets way too overexcited, he’s better suited to radio where that style actually works. Greg Clarke is fine and Kafer is pretty bright. As for NZ Mexted is a royal pain and Nisbett can be good but comes across as super grumpy.
April 7th 2009 @ 4:51am
katzilla said | April 7th 2009 @ 4:51am | Report comment
The saffas have got it all right now.
The most unbiased part of the rugby club is when they tune into Brosnihan in SA.
And hes well informed too. Apparently the saffas don’t like him though lol.
I used to dislike Marto but i don’t mind him now, he’ll crap on about supposed bad calls but when someone does something spectacular, no matter their team he gives full credit. Which makes him acceptable.
Kearns, well i’ve never liked him. Hes got that smug nsw old boys club look about him.
Mexted is shocking, you think hes anti non kiwi teams?
You should hear him when Wellington play in the NPC. Crazy biased.
But if you want ultra biased commentating look no further then –
Watch how close Jonker gets to the rucks when hes reffing, hes almost in them. Hes close enough that hes tapping players on the shoulder at the bottom of the ruck and asking them not to play with the ball. Brilliant.
April 7th 2009 @ 1:28pm
Bay35Pablo said | April 7th 2009 @ 1:28pm | Report comment
The crazy thing is, I dislike Channel Seven’s commentators so much I prefer the Fox call if I can get it. Scraping the barrel! How sad is that …. ?
April 7th 2009 @ 10:57pm
Ben J said | April 7th 2009 @ 10:57pm | Report comment
Wait a minute, what’s with this Saffa loving? Just kidding, nice to hear something positive about the republic. I have to say that I love the Reunion show and Wrap from Downunder, great to hear the other side of the coin.
April 8th 2009 @ 3:20pm
Mr Sports said | April 8th 2009 @ 3:20pm | Report comment
I agree with most people on this comment stream that the South African commentators are clearly superior to either the Australian or especially the Kiwi commentators. I am a waratahs supporter and yet i’d still prefer not to listen to phil kearns because i find his pro-waratahs style offensive. However the grand champion is Murray Mexted, my poor girlfriend even knows when he is commentating becuase i generally have a running argument with Mexted outloud in my living room when he’s braodcasting.