It has been revealed by Channel Nine that 2GB radio presenter, Ray Hadley, is to call Sunday night’s Australia vs New Zealand Rugby World Cup semi final.
This is a disgraceful decision, yet unfortunately one entirely in keeping with Channel 9’s shabby treatment of this year’s world cup.
John O’Neill must now deeply regret the ARU’s decision to give rugby’s showcase to Nine, the home of rival code rugby league.
In this excruciatingly self-interview, Ray Hadley re-tells (to his no doubt enthralled audience) the phone call he received that morning, with the help of the man who made the phone call, Channel Nine Director of Sport Steve Crawley.
During this self-interview, Ray Hadley appeared not to know who Wallaby great Andrew Slack was, calling him the ‘Channel Nine Queensland guy’, later admitting that he’d have to get ‘a rule book out’ as he hadn’t called a rugby game ‘for awhile’.
It got worse when he initially couldn’t recall the last match he had broadcast, citing it as ‘the one against England where someone kicked a field goal’, although later recalling that it was Johnny Wilkinson who had booted it.
He also had to check with Steve Crawley in regards to what time they were ‘on air’ on Sunday, expressing concern about having to do his Monday morning radio show in New Zealand.
Unfortunately, Ray’s wife has ‘allowed’ him to cancel their plans to attend the radio awards on the Gold Coast, which means that he will be calling the semi-final…
According to Tim Elliot writing in the Herald, Hadley can be heard on his daily radio show ‘smouldering disgust fuelled by his many pet hates, from out-of-touch judges to dole bludgers, climate alarmists, asylum seekers who try to come to Australia by boat, whom he calls illegal immigrants’.
Just last week in his Daily Telegraph column, Hadley bizarrely claimed that the government was spending $1.4 million of ‘our money’, ‘buying cigarettes for boat people’.
Is this someone who should be representing the game of rugby in Australia? Indeed, representing the Wallabies?
Channel Nine has reasoned that, as most of the matches broadcast by Nine this World Cup had utilised Kiwi commentators (yes, we realised that), they ‘had to have an Aussie’ for the semi-final.
Surely any number of Australian commentators would be available and would jump at the chance ? How about Gordon Bray or John Fordham?
Or seeing as Gerard Whateley is able to work for both Foxsports and the ABC simultaneously, surely experienced, knowledgeable rugby fans such Jim Maxwell or Steve Robilliard would be a good choice?
A further insult is that respected rugby ambassadors and legends such as John Eales and George Gregan will be required to lend credence to Hadley’s involvement.
If Ray Hadley, who presents as bigoted and ignorant, is all that Channel Nine could dredge up, I wish they had stuck with the Kiwis.
All that we decent rugby fans can hope for is that Ray’s wife changes her mind and decides that hobnobbing with John Laws, Alan Jones and other such ‘voices of the people’ at the radio awards on the Gold Coast is preferable to a night in Auckland.
Jock M
Guest
Get over it everyone! Rugby has been well and truly prostituted by corporate interests-it really isn't much better than a League lookalike now so having a League caller do the commentary is to be expected.
Lorry
Guest
As predicted Hadley was shite... As others have noted, the league comparisons, not knowing the player's names, unaware of the rules (at least he admitted that earlier)... He should stick to League and fear-mongering, that's what he does best.
Doc
Guest
OMG , I was embarrassed at Hadley's call of the RU last night. No tactical observations / commentary just sensationalised patter. I could sense the other two respected commentators frustration with his shock jock call and total lack of understanding of the strategy. Please tell me that with the exit of the Wallabies , Hadley can go back to his radio gig and let some-one who knows the finer points of the game a chance to call the Final.
Worst ever
Guest
That call was truly horrid, constant league comparisons, couldn't remember the names of the players, didn't know the rules and at one point seemed confused about a double knock on ruling. At one point i tried for 5 minutes listening to the abc grandstand with the tv on mute but that didnt work out so great. What has our sport come to when we can't have a commentator that can bring something to the game, years of listening to Gordon Bray has spoilt me, he knowledge of the sport, players and genuine excitement always enhanced the experience. I'm not sure what I am more upset about, Australia losing or Ray Hadley writing us off from 60minute mark. What kind of commentator treats the semi final like a soap bid for poking at hair dos and individuals, at one point Ray was talking about the cost of doing Nonu's hair... Come on seriously?! I'm glad I was overseas for the majority of the competition, didn't have to put up with the poor coverage from Nine, sky sport did an awesome job, even got a few matches where Gordon Bray was commentating I hope that ray Hadley doesn't get another chance to rubbish our game
joe bloggs
Guest
OMG, asside from the aussies sucking, this is the worst commentary ever, no idea
john
Guest
CAN’T BELIEVE THE COMMENTATING. HOW DID RAY GET THE JOB?????HE SOUNDS LIKE HE IS CALLING A HORSE RACE. REALLY DISAPPOINTING, GAME NOT OVER YET AND WE ARE LOOSING BUT RAY IS SPOILING WATCHING THE GAME. HIS VOICE NEVER STOPS, FIND ME THE EAR PLUGS. HE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW THE PLAYER POSITIONS. IF I HEAR HE IS HAD THE JOB AGAIN WE WON’T BE WATCHING!!!!!! PLAYING VERY POORLY, HE IS REALLY SHOWING HIS AGE……
Big ken
Guest
What a disgrace this is. Ray hardly is a rugby league commentator who knows nothing about union, why on earth is nine doing this, is this some sort of joke? Ray hardly should stick to calling airplane landings.
joe bloggs
Guest
why choose Hadley , he has been slamming rugby for years, regularly bemoaning how boring and slow it is,also has no knowlledge of the game or its histroy ( maybe he will have a good producer to get him ready). Just show what these media "personalities" will do for money. I am surpised that they did nor choose his stablemate, Alan Jones, for the job, suppose you have to draw the line somewhere The best solution is tune the radoi to ABC and turn the TV volume down
Edward
Guest
Channel 9 are kidding aren't they? Who are they? Do they like Rugby? Have they ever played the game? Gordon Bray is the voice of Rugby? Ray Hadley and Ray Warren would not know the difference between a ruck and maul if they wer in one. Have you seen how pathetic Ken Sutcliffe has been? The comments he makes are akin to the help you get from that nice young girl from Bunnings when you ask her where you can find a speedbor, friendly but useless. What makes a good commentator? Someone with an emotional voice or someone that can enhance what you are watching with informed comment? Gordon Bray can do both, and used to be a rugby ref. He is intelligent articulate and highly informed about the game past and present. Ray may as well be commentating on Ice fishing for Inuit’s.
mersey
Guest
Having called both codes over the years, I can tell you that there's a world of difference, especially with the modern professional game of Rugby. The nuances of the breakdown are hard to pick and you really need to know your stuff. It's an insult to the game having a League caller like Hadley ahead of experienced Rugby callers like Fordham, Robilliard and Maxwell. I actually rang Steve Crawley the day Ch 9 got the rights and offered my services and was told "No worries - we've got it covered." I agree with the scores of others in this column who detest the ARU for what they have done with the rights, which is basically to keep them from other networks and so preserve their game, which is Rugby League. It's up to us, as the public, to put pressure on the ARU to ensure the same thing doesn't happen again at the next RWC in 2015. Good luck Ray tomorrow - you'll need it!
Sandy B
Guest
Tim does all the Brumbies home games on 666
Sandy B
Guest
Are you kidding -spider cam is fantastic - the way they can highlight the splitting of the front row, or following the ball over for a penalty. However Channel 9 have been - what is worse than excrutiatingly deplorable? I thought the carve up on Media Watch on Monday was well warranted. The arrogance of Ch 9 is sickening.They have no idea of timing for the breaks in the game often returning after the kick off, or the lineout has been cleared. It's as bad as Ch 7 missing Susie O'Neills start to the 200m in the Sydney Olympics. And now the Hadley decision - I will vote with my radio - tune into ABC and turn the TV down - Tim Gable will give a much better call than Hads, it may be two seconds early but at least you wont have to listen to league comparisons and other drivel - imagine what he will do when SBW comes on.
AJ
Guest
Get one thing straight ,geniune died in the wool rugby league people HATE rugby union.Channell nine's stars like vautin,gould and warren wouldn't be seen dead at a rugby game.Prominent ex broncos that I know have the attitude of "I support Australia in whatever game they are playing " when questioned about rugby.They hate it and they hate rugby supporters,something to do with priveledged upbringings and fancy private schools,leather patches on tweed jackets etc.Being from a progressive and enlightened state like Qld(snigger),I am not subjected to Hadley but I suspect he is of the same ilk. Anyhow I really couldn't give a s## about these dinosaurs except when some moron gives the carkeys of our game to channell bogan to do laps of the block and hang furry dice from the rear vision mirror.There are any number of knowledgable callers to turn to,as stated above.This is the world cup!!!!!! As Brett mentioned above it's not O"neils fault but he should be asked for his opinion about this?It's in his interest to see rugby grow in this country and guess what,sneak a win on Sunday and we're in the final, a four yearly chance to publicise and prosper and grow.And our partner in this is the main supporter our biggest rival? This is just a huge mistake and doesn't extend for the next four years?
StavRoss
Guest
Unlucky guys, As a two coder, I cannot stand Hadleys calls in League. Lucky for me I will be taking my feed on Skysports in the UK. League fans have been complaining for years about 9's treatment of the product, now it seems they are keen to treat the WC with the same contempt.
AdamS
Guest
We need Roy and HG.
Renegade
Guest
People aren't just jumping on the union bandwagon, there's a bigger picture here and our nation is being represented on the world stage. I'm sure majority of people have an interest. Ray Hadley and Ray Warren are two of the most exciting callers around. This is going to be one of the biggest sporting matches of the year within the country so it's time to get the big guns out! The QF against South Africa was a spectacle and i suspect if the game on sunday is just as good, hadley will add to the excitement and atmosphere.
Lorry
Guest
Hadley is a League man. How on earth could he do a good job calling a match with just a few days preparation?! However, I think people are missing the main question I'm trying to raise which is, Is it suitable to have a man who has made his name as a right-wing attack dog calling a world cup semi final? Is this the look rugby union should be going for in Australia? Hadley shouldn't be allowed near any microphone other than the one he shouts into every morning...
Johnno
Guest
I really like George Gregan surprised fox have not bought him. He adds a really good dimension to channel 9 rugby. Jim Maxwell would of been good if they loaned him form ABC.
Strayan
Guest
The game is so fast and the laws and interpretations at the breakdown so complex you need an up-to-date specialist rugby caller. They have to be accurate when they call ruck offences, and knowing when the ruck has actually formed seems to be beyond many people. Ch 9 don't care about this though. To them the viewers are just sheep. I was really keen to have Aus callers after the QF, meaning an experienced rugby caller. I don't think I've ever listened to Ray Hadley. I thought he worked as a sales assistant at Lowe's. I also haven't previously heard a presenter named Tim Gavel who will be calling the game on ABC radio (Grandstand sport) but I might try Ch9 pictures and ABC radio sound together for SF1 to see if that works. Go Wales!
Strayan
Guest
The SA rugby blogs are full of it