Out of all of the positives that 2013 Rugby League World Cup 2013 has brought us, perhaps the most popular one has been the absence of Channel Nine.
The self-proclaimed “home of rugby league” is on forced holiday and the ears of rugby league fans are so much clearer for it.
The World Cup commentary headed by Andrew Voss has been professional, positive and and entertaining. They have celebrated the game of rugby league and its history, and their enjoyment of the spectacle on show has had just enough national bias to make fans cringe with wry smiles and chuckles.
The British commentators, particularly former Great Britain coach Brian Noble, have shown up their Channel Nine counterparts with a simple expression of good old fashioned wit.
And Daryl Halligan, wearing his Kiwi exuberance on his sleeve, erupts with a sometimes unintelligible excitement that seems important because it sounds honest.
The enthusiasm of these men, ably lead by the wit of Voss, has put into stark perspective the tired boys’ club approach taken by Channel Nine, led by bronze-statue recipient Ray Warren and overlord Phil Gould.
Bias is one thing – and tinged with charisma is fine – but as far as I am aware, nobody likes commercial bias, especially one blatant and lacking in personality. If the role of the commentator isn’t to entertain, then it most certainly isn’t to irritate.
Having monopolised rugby league in Australia for so many years now, Channel Nine have fallen into the trap of believing that the walls it surrounds itself with are the ends of the earth. They are not – nowhere near it in fact.
The success of Andrew Voss and the World Cup team have only highlighted just how insular and ultimately self-defeating the Channel Nine approach will prove to be.
Time spent in commentary ought not to be spent glorifying oneself, the station or the products it is required to advertise. Commentating is about glorifying the sport and the players on show.
It is about bringing to life the enjoyment and passion that fans feel about their sport. It is also a way of bringing in new viewers and admirers.
Nobody wants to be turned away, least of all fans. Channel Nine may be ‘successful’, but when you are the only game in town, that is not proof of your quality.
One wonders just how many people watch Channel Nine with the volume off.
Well done to the World Cup commentary team. Simply by having a good time and enjoying what you are doing, you have shown how simple it really is to put on a good show.
Hopefully there will much more to follow.
Botto
Guest
The sacking of Andrew Voss was one of the most transparent cases of bullying I have ever seen lead by Ray Hadley. Disgraceful.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I've just spent the last half an hour or so watching Canada play the USA, Lebanon and Jamaica on Youtube. The Canadian commentators are amateurish and wonderful. Their enthusiasm is just out of this world! "You have to get up earlier in the morning to fool these Wolverines with that effort." Regarding a head high tackle, "He was holding Myer's head like a shot put!"
Owned
Guest
+1000 JM is so fargen annoying!!!
Andy Dandy
Guest
This coverage of the RLWC has been like a breath of fresh air. Wonderfully exhilarating and entertaining! At times the commentators have had me in stitches while watching the games. Even though there have been some blow outs in the score lines, you can tell that every player on that team is playing for the pride of that jersey. Most of my friends who normally watch NRL say that they wish that this (coverage by Channel 7) could continue but they know that they are going to get the usual crap and feel disillusioned by it. I no longer watch Fatty's "Footy Show" as it isn't very informative and very childish that's still very sexist with very limited football wrap ups. Channel 9 do not think they have a problem so therefore there is nothing that needs to be fixed. PLEASE Channel 9, pull your finger out as you are sadly being showed up. We don't want you anymore, we have seen and heard better.
Mike from tari
Guest
Remember 2 things, 1) Tom Waterhouse paid channel 9 to put himself on TV. 2) The NSW Gov't were bringing in poker machine tax increases that we're going to affect the Leagues clubs abilities to support Junior & Senior rugby league, so channel 9 helped with their support. Don't get me wrong I have had enough of channel 9 & foxtel's commentators, the same people all week eg Big Gordie Mon, Tuesday , Wednesday , Thursday , Friday , Saturday & Sunday with the same opinions every day on both bloody channels.
Robyn
Guest
Channel Nine have not changed formats for years. 'Match of the Day' delayed telecasts may have worked in the seventies but the world has moved on. Who wants to wait until six o'clock Sunday night to find out who won a game played at two oclock. Delayed telecasts, ads at ridiculous times of the games, boring dinosaur commentators and blantant gambling encouragement to young viewers are a disgrace. Does NRL really need to look too hard to find out why viewers are turning off? On the bright side, being a supporter of a lower ranked team has it's benefits (if you can afford pay tv). We get to follow our beloved team on Fox Ad free, Ray free, Gus free and Tom free. And the rotation policy of the commentators means if you don't like the commentary chances are next week will be different. Go Fox.
soapit
Roar Guru
yep they should strictly limit him to analysis
gavin
Guest
That would be gold.
Mardo Gray
Guest
Can we Get Roy and HG to do a RL game every week?
Sean
Guest
Nigel Vagana has been great on Seven. Nine or Fox Sports good do a lot worse then add him to their coverage next year. (And remove some of their current deadweight.) Yvonne Sampson has also been a rare shinning light for Nine this year and her and Sterlo are the only ones you could say that about.
Mardo Gray
Guest
+1
Alan Reid
Roar Rookie
I agree about Ray Warren's lack of preparation. He often sounds to me like the only games he watches are those he calls on nine(They don't deserve capitals). Sterlo is the only one on that team that maintains a high standard of commentary. The management is pathetic, too. Preferring to axe Voss and replace him with Hadley would be like swapping a thoroughbred for an old draught horse.
Col Quinn
Guest
Sorry Nomad, but Sky are not broadcasting this. The pictures and some commentary are from BBC and Premier Sports. Sky were dumped.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Let the good times roll!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm not sure what it is. Perhaps it's just the sound of his voice? Compared to Brad Fittler or Darren Lockyer, he is so much more easier on the ears there's just no comparison. The last two should never have been allowed near a microphone. I suppose if Johns was properly 'trained' he might turn out to be a good commentator. Like I said, I'm not sure what it is but I wouldn't feel bad about giving him a chance. I do remember once seeing Peter Sterling physically 'hold back' Fittler during an episode of the Sunday Footy Show when the latter was getting too excited even for him. The camera cut away as soon as it happened but I remember it very clearly. It reminded me just how far behind Fittler really was. I used to see Johns be the larrikin too but recently, he seems to have cut that out of his game. Certainly much more so than Fittler. To me, that is proof that Johns can learn. Is it enough? I don't know but it's more than Fittler has ever showed. In anycase, the only person who I would guarantee keep on is Sterling. The guy has proved himself over and over and when compared to the fools around him, his quality only stands out even more.
Glenn Innes
Guest
Say what you like about nine when it comes to filming the sport they are so far ahead BBC/Premier Sports that it is a no contest.The BBC camera work is z grade compared to nine - none of these people would get a job with nine.. I agree Voss is the best caller going around but nine went with Hadlee because they think he is popular with key League demographics and who knows - they may be right?What we like might not be what the masses like, Hadlee is certainly not to my taste but a hell of a lot of people tune into him on the radio so some people obviously like him. The one thing I can't agree with is Bryan Noblle being better than Gould.I can't understand the dislike of Gould he is passionate about the game - articulate and only a complete fool would deny that he is very knowledgeable. As for nine people bagging the world cup such is life - they are not going to promote programming that is on a rival network to the one that pays their no doubt sizeable salaries for what is a very easy and highly sort after job.Only an idiot bites the hand that feeds him!
oikee
Guest
He was a champion Offiah. Just dont forget to watch the game of the Cup so far in the morning SAMOA/FRANCE, here is a little sweetener. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p228zrBIkoM
Greg
Guest
Marshall is a douche, but he is definitly not bias towards NZ or the crusaders - most can't stand him because he clearly goes against those teams in order to not look bias, to the point where it is irritating as hell. NZ commentators are far less bias then there Australian, South African, welsh, English and after the weekends Maori game, the American commentators.
Alvin Purple
Guest
rl4eva - exactly mate. To hear Ray Warren make out that he knows nothing about what is going on at the RLWC is a disgrace. The guy would still be calling the races at midweek Gosford race meetings if it was not for RL. Channel 9 were so ignorant of the fans they could not bother to get the rights then that is their bad luck. By the way I am reading that the games even those not including Australia are getting quite reasonable viewer numbers. Go the RLWC
Greg Cross
Guest
Channel 7 is doing a great job with the World Cup.Andrew Voss and his team have a great dry wit and enthusiasm for the game that is refreshing to see.I have noticed that Warren and Andrew Johns have been bagging this World Cup event but they are jealous about it being an outstanding success. Let's hope that Channel 7 does the Four Nations next year.