Every Monday night, I sit down and watch the wonderful Fox Sports program On the Couch. For those not familiar with it, the show features host Gerard Healy, prominent AFL writer Mike Sheahan, and Essendon legend James Hird.
The three worthies discuss issues in the game, whether arising from the most recent round of AFL action or longer-running concerns.
The funny thing is, I’m not really much of an Aussie rules fan. I don’t barrack for any team in particular and I’ll always pick a big league game or union game over an AFL one.
However, On the Couch is simply so interesting that I feel compelled to watch it.
The NRL, meanwhile, can boast the excellent NRL Tactics show, which gives the viewer a (genuine) insight into on-field tactics being used every week in the NRL.
With host Andy Raymond and ex-coaches like Stuart Raper or Michael Hagan, and current players like Brett Kimmorley or Braith Anasta, the program gives the discerning rugby league fan a look into why teams are doing certain things and what tactics we might expect to see on the weekend.
They proudly declare that they are only concerned with what happens on the field.
And then there is the coverage of rugby union.
The Roar community has already been vocal about the disappointing level of bias in the commentary provided for Australian Super 14 games, and we’re not alone.
On the South African website SuperSport, the weekly Super 14 wrap up column (cleverly named the SuperWrap) has on a number of occasions recently had gentle digs at the bias of the Australian commentators. Meanwhile, the closest thing to analysis of rugby on Foxtel, the Rugby Club, is pure tabloid these days.
It is incomprehensible to me that Fox Sports don’t seem to realise that not everyone who watches rugby in Australia is a one-eyed supporter of all things Australian.
Why can’t we have a rugby version of On the Couch with, for example, John Eales, Nick Farr-Jones and one of the top rugby writers in the country?
They could chat about developments in the Super 14, like tactics that teams are using, new players making an impact or significant injuries. They could do searching long-format interviews of various coaches and players from around the competition.
Perhaps get a scrum expert (and I mean expert, not Phil Kearns) to explain some of the more opaque scrum time rulings.
I would watch that show every week. In fact, I would record that show every week and probably watch it twice. I’d probably even make copies and distribute to my friends and relatives without access to Foxtel.
clac
Guest
All said above. 1) Rugby Club is now a meaningless show, no longer watch it regularly. Too much banter and distraction, no information. - McCardle - Streets ahead of Clarke, both leading the tipping. Best addition to the Rugby Club. - Martin - Dour and "why bother" attitude, plus continuously criticizing the referees. His commentary at a Perth game was quite good, without Kearns. - Kearns - The "front row club" is now dated and no one cares. Can he actually give an informed analysis or commentary on why refs penalize the scrum, or not let play continue from a collapsed scrum? When last did he speak to a ref? - Cannon - Appears informed, but says nothing. - Paul - Cut the cheeky giggle before offering what seems to be a serious opinion. - Kafe - Being wasted. The only one to offer any original meaningful analysis or commentary. TV commentary - Aus commentators are the most biased and don't offer much in the way of describing the game or explaining what happened on the field. They consistently criticize the ref (all countries). The banter and jokes are dated. - NZ commentary is pretty good. - SA commentary is better. - European commentary is the best. The problem with commentary from ex players is that the successful ones learn and move with the times and the unsuccessful ones hark back to their glory days, are lazy and rely too much on the links to their "playing mates".
Redb
Roar Guru
Did anyone catch last night's episode of 'On the couch' ? (on Tuesday night this week due to MNF). It was compelling viewing with the Ben Cousins interview, hard questions asked, well answered by Cousins.
Jackson
Guest
Ok, I think Clarke is great and fair and totally Sydney north-shore style, as he should be (Just like Jim "Elbow Patches' Maxwell on ABC). Kafer is great, but incredibly camp (has anyone else noticed that?) Paul, Kearns, Marto etc are all better than the knobs on 7. But, the point is that noone can hold a candle to the greatest commentary team of all time: Bray, Buddha and Poido "you don't know what you've lost till it's gone...."
Chris
Guest
The NRL has higher average crowds than every single one of those competitions.
gatesy
Guest
Damo, you can do better than that! Poor Jack is trying to get his point across!! Let him hang himself (figuratively speaking)
gatesy
Guest
Jack, love your passion, but doubt your knowledge. Isn't it nice that we can have this debate. Even though you are wrong much of the time, you are bloody tenacious. You would make a very good half back or open side flanker!
Fifteen5
Roar Rookie
I used to watch the Rugby Club but the predictable boring format became too much. I totally disagree as do so many of my mates with your comments about Brendan Cannon and Jeremy Paul. They interact well and as they played God's game within the last century I value their opinion. Paul in particular is at least brave enough to ask the hard questions and is best on the show by a mile. His comments about Dean's should be asked more often. Marto is great too and Nick keeps the show traveling at a fast pace. Love to see how you harsh critics could do any better. Rugby is dissected to the point that watching paint dry is more fun. Keep up the great work boys and bring more humour to the show. Only criticism is, drop the Piggies and Princesses or make it at least a rung above kindergarten
PB
Guest
No, it's the dominant code because the world's sports watching and playing population has made its preference blindingly clear. And league will never ever have the same international profile, any more than rugby can ever hope to eclipse soccer. Six countries playing league - so what? In every single instance, with the exception of Australia, league has an insignificant following. As for your supposed international TV broadcasts - I lived in Europe for 7 years until last year. Sports coverage is completely dominated by soccer and rugby. Even league internationals weren't broadcast. BTW, the IRB lists 95 countries that have world rankings. All of at least the top 20 countries are comprised of professinal players. RWC - 3rd biggest sporting event in the world Olympic sport.
The Link
Guest
Needs to be more narrow - Rugby is the world’s pre-eminent contact football code with 15 players.
Jack
Guest
NRL significantly expand its international television broadcast reach to now include Europe, North America, Africa, the Middle East, PNG and the Asia Pacific region, as well as online subscription services for international supporters
Jack
Guest
NRL significantly expand its international television broadcast reach to now include North America, Africa, Italy, the Middle East, PNG and the Asia Pacific region, as well as online subscription services for international supporters
Jack
Guest
Sorry Captain of spelling!! Rugby is the world’s pre-eminent contact football code because of the exposure and the funding that rugby union has had to develop the game because the game had more than 100 years of being Amateur. The IRB has had the money From not paying there players to fund the game in different nations. Well that's very ignorant of you to say "Australians are the only ones who do watch it" there are many people in other country's that watch and play Rugby League. There Are 6 countries that play Rugby league professionally such as England,Wales,France in the northern hemisphere and Australia, NewZealand and PNG in the southern not a big Gap Between Rugby Union's 10. There is a new pro rugby league competition coming in 2010/2011in USA. Rugby League is Played in over 50 countries. Its Developing Every year. Its no where near Rugby Union on the international Stage but over time it may just be...
Rugbywits
Guest
So what you're saying is that because there are more games in NRL then its better? About the TV shows though maybe they should keep the The Rugby Club for 2 reasons: 1. Someone will watch it and its about rugby. 2. Then there is no need to consider the people currently on that show for a job on a new show - especially Kearns and Cannon. A new rugby show probably would be good with Ella and possibly Nick Farr-Jones. I dont think Eales is the type for the more 'spontaneous live' conversation/analysis, but he could be used as an interviewer with the Reds possibly depending on where he is based now. I'd like to see more actual journalism from a new show. Talking to players for 20-30mins and therefore having a solid 5-10min interview to air from it. I really to think that they should almost start fresh like with Top Gear. Probably the best way to do it is get some guys that haven't been on telly before but know how to carry themselves and love rugby. 1-2 of those people to guide the show and the conversations between the Ella's and Farr-Joneses would be a good thing. Heck, I'd put together a video and submit it. I'm sure there are plenty of other people on this site alone that love rugby and can carry themselves enough to know how to have an entertaining conversation. We don't JUST want ex players going through the motions to keep topping up the super fund. Possibly I'm a little harsh but you get that! :P Definitely a lounge setting to the studio, but you can get interviews done during the week, or have a 'correspondent' travelling with an Aussie team and giving interviews at different points of their South African tour etc. That would be a great way to get inside the life of a Super Rugby player. Anyway... I could go on for a while on that. Basically they need to make it more authentic, better researched and a great breath of fresh air to rugby on tele. We've all seen the usual thing for years.
Dogz R Barkn
Roar Guru
Let’s face it – Australians are the only ones who do watch it. So what - maybe Australians are more discerning?
PB
Guest
Rugby is the world's pre-eminent contact football code. Always has been, always will be. League is, and will always be nothing more than a footnote, regardless of how many Australians watch it. Let's face it - Australians are the only ones who do watch it. Fiscal?? Please explain what taxation or monetary policy has to do with this??
Jack
Guest
Yeah mate i have heard and been to both Heineken Cup games, or the Magner’s League last year . I Watch the top 14 regally and they continually get a poor attendance. Average attendance NRL- 16,979 Total- 3,412,872 Super 14 - 21,504 Total- 2,021,376 Top 14 - 12,107 Total- 2,203,526 Magner’s League - 8,126 Total- 731,328 Guinness Premiership - 11,786 Total- 1,543,920 Heineken Cup -14,925 - Total - 1,179,061 The NRL is single most attended rugby football competition in the world!! Come gatesy Sort your life Out mate and im not even going to include Currie Cup or the Air New Zealand Cup because just like Sydney club Rugby there a joke ... Damo i do like rugby Union i do watch it. But eny real Rugby Football Fan can tell you that rugby league is just better quality, Faster more skillful brutally harder and fiscal game then Rugby Union.
Rusty
Roar Guru
in the UK unfortunately - I dont know how you would get it in Oz. Wouldnt mind the odd Boots'n All either if just to laught at the Naas'sms
KGW
Guest
Kearns is Australian Pollock is a Kiwi
The Other Reds Fan.
Guest
When Farr-Jones did commentate, according to him the play was always "fractured". It was his favourite word.
jiggles
Guest
speaking of commentators…. has anyone watched any of the French top 14 on the Eurosports channel on foxtel??? the french bloke who commentates is with out a doubt the slowest speaker in the world, I can't focus on the game and what he is saying at the same time!