Biased refs? What about biased commentators!
Roar Guru By Wally James, 15 Feb 2010 Wally James is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- commentators, Fox Sports, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
2,685 readsI watched Queensland v NSW on Foxtel on Saturday. I found it incredibly irritating. Marto and Kearns seem like decent blokes but their commentary is nothing short of appalling.
If the ref in any game exhibited the bias that these two do, he would never get another gig.
So why should the same principle not apply to, for want of a better word, commentators?
I don’t want to hear jersey bigotry during a game from them. A few sarcastsic digs occassionally adds to the humour of a match.
After all, everyone over 40 knows what teams the dynamic duo played for.
But that was over the top.
My suggestion is leave the rabid one-sided comments for the crowd. We don’t need any help there.
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- commentators, Fox Sports, Rugby Union, Super Rugby
February 15th 2010 @ 11:26am
Rin said | February 15th 2010 @ 11:26am | Report comment
these three have had a near monopoly on rugby commentary over the last few years, I really thinks its time there was some new blood on the commentary box, change it up a bit.
We all know they are hideously biased. I like the idea of commentators that were not former professional players as they tend to be less bias, similar with refs.
Rin
February 15th 2010 @ 11:41am
Jameswm said | February 15th 2010 @ 11:41am | Report comment
The single worst thing about Marto and Kearnsy’s commentary is their lack of knowledge of the rules. Fox should send them to do a level 1 referee’s course. They have no idea and get it wrong over and over and over…
February 15th 2010 @ 11:47am
Brett McKay said | February 15th 2010 @ 11:47am | Report comment
but James, wasn’t that one of Greg Martin’s big boasts over the last few years, that he HAD done a refs course??
It’s certainly time for a refresher if that is the case…
February 15th 2010 @ 12:00pm
True Tah said | February 15th 2010 @ 12:00pm | Report comment
If that is the case, then Marto should ask for a refund of his course fees.
February 15th 2010 @ 1:51pm
Brett McKay said | February 15th 2010 @ 1:51pm | Report comment
TT, I’d reckon the refs might pay him not to mention it….
February 15th 2010 @ 5:46pm
ThelmaWrites said | February 15th 2010 @ 5:46pm | Report comment
Perhaps have a former referee as first commentator (we need a change from Gordon Bray in free-to-air), a former coach (Jimmy Johnson in the NFL was U of Florida coach, then Dallas Cowboys; Rod Kafer had a short stint apparently), and a player who has helped devise and execute game plans. Am I asking too much?
February 15th 2010 @ 5:51pm
ThelmaWrites said | February 15th 2010 @ 5:51pm | Report comment
Dear Editors,
My comment is “awaiting moderation again”. I would be grateful if you would rectify.
February 15th 2010 @ 6:05pm
Ora said | February 15th 2010 @ 6:05pm | Report comment
From my experience it is best not to incude someones name in your first line or two, also there are some words that seem to instantly send alarm bells hence the moderation.
February 15th 2010 @ 11:47am
Rabbitz said | February 15th 2010 @ 11:47am | Report comment
I am constantly amazed that although we can hear the feed from the refs mic, Clarke, Kearns and Martin either can’t or don’t want to hear it.
Next time try and count the number of times they suggest a reason for a penalty that is completely at odds with what the ref just said.
I guess if you are there to talk it up then not listening is a pre-requisite.
February 15th 2010 @ 12:55pm
Temba said | February 15th 2010 @ 12:55pm | Report comment
What I can’t understand is how they have this job? I have not heard one good thing about them, everyone seems to think they are crap… It’s obvious they are not commentators. If I could mute them without the crowd and the ref I would be very happy.
February 15th 2010 @ 1:04pm
Sam Taulelei said | February 15th 2010 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
Greg Martin does nothing to hide his bias towards Queensland and Australian teams when they play NZ and SA teams and it would be more tolerable for me if his comments were also accurate and insightful as a former international player and goalkicker.
I listen to Grant Fox and invariably learn something from his comments, eg Michael Hobbs positioning of the ball leaning inwards rather than dead straight to open up the sweet spot and create a better angle for a right footed kicker trying to bend the ball in toward the posts during the Highlanders v Crusaders game. That’s not to say that NZ doesn’t have it’s fair share of clangers as well calling games like Murray Mexted. Tony Johnson tends to get very self righteous and moralistic about opposition wrong doings and they can be a bit condescending of British rugby teams and players.
Kearns and Martin feel compelled to fill the space when there’s no action and instead of commenting on what teams are trying to do, what they should or could do to improve they go off on some tangent that’s funny to only the two of them. I’m all for witty banter but at least include your viewing audience in on the joke as well.
Greg Clark needs to be stronger in pulling the pair of them back in line.
February 15th 2010 @ 1:23pm
titus said | February 15th 2010 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
I thought Grant Fox was brilliant in offering this insight into Michael Hobbs’ ball placement. A great example of an expert analyst offering the viewer what no other commentator can do. John Drake was another who sadly isn’t with us. I miss the explanations of the dark arts of front row scrummaging.
February 15th 2010 @ 8:20pm
Pete said | February 15th 2010 @ 8:20pm | Report comment
Just watching the replay of the game and couldn’t help but cringe at Marto and Kearns. Here are a couple of their insights into the game in the last 2 minutes:
Marto: this is energy sapping stuff isn’t it Kearnsy (just as the scrum is reset for a 4th time)
Kearns reply: ahrgghhhh
Kearns: Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh those Reds players are a mile offside.
Now they are talking about the inventor of the Frisbee and how he made it from cake tins.
It seriously is like sitting in a pub and listening to banter. God knows what those overseas must think if they pick up the telecast.
Kearns was a member of one of our best front rows. Surely he could give us better insight into what is going on in there than saying “Oh I love it, I love it. The Tahs are crushing the Reds.”
..and when the Tahs backline is spread across the field ready to attack the Reds line, Marto says, “look at the Tahs its like Golden lotto”. What the hell does that mean? Marto was a fullback. He knows how an attacking play could unfold. Why doesn’t he tell us what is going to happen? What lines should they run off Barnes given the defence pattern? Give us Kafer!
No wonder those who haven’t played the game say Union is difficult to understand. The commentators should be educating the audience rather than sounding like a cheer squad. At times I feel like its private club between Kearns and Marto, I have no idea what they are talking about when they drop in a private joke about something they did on the field years ago. They should use their experience to educate us rather than amuse themselves. They have a role to play to help spread passion of rugby; they are doing the game and Fox a disservice. I don’t want them yanked off air, I just want them to give us better insight into the game
February 16th 2010 @ 8:46am
Wylie said | February 16th 2010 @ 8:46am | Report comment
I remember a Brumbies vs Tahs game a few years ago where Larkham suffered a serious injury early in the first half. The sheer delight in Kearns’ voice was obvious. I wanted to reach through the screen and punch him.
February 16th 2010 @ 9:30am
Ora said | February 16th 2010 @ 9:30am | Report comment
I’m not sure if you get All Out Rugby in Australia but I was happy to see that the Bok hosts well one in particular can’t remember his name agreed that the last play in the Chiefs game was offside and a penalty. However they then went on to say that the Sharks lost the game the Chiefs didn’t win it and this was highlighted by the fact the chiefs only managed to secure victory in the final 6 minutes.
Well I watched this game and the Sharks were so indisciplined it was nearly laughable Bismarks shoulder charge was so late the guy had a week to brace for impact.
Also the fact that the Sharks never looked like scoring a try also seems to have eluded these South African commentators, I was somewhat gobsmacked. The Chiefs were all over the Sharks and had it not been for the heroics of Petersen the scoreline would have blown out in favour of the Chiefs. I’m far from a chiefs fan but they deserved to win and when seeing such ridiculous and Bais statements being made I’m even happier that they did win and win on the road
February 16th 2010 @ 9:50am
True Tah said | February 16th 2010 @ 9:50am | Report comment
Kearns and Martin must have photos of uncle rupert in a compromising position, because in most jobs, you would be fired for being so damn clueless, hopeless and biased as these two gooses are.
February 16th 2010 @ 10:01am
Rickety Knees said | February 16th 2010 @ 10:01am | Report comment
These pair of palooka’s do a disservice to the game of Rugby