The journalistic side of rugby broadcasts needs fixing

Heaven forbid that the Fox rugby show would ever think to invite a recently-retired elite referee to come on the programme and explain things to the misguided know-alls they usually have there spouting their half-arsed opinions. And no, I'm not suggesting the human roll-on, Gus Erickson - I 'd prefer a ref who actually has some technical knowledge, especially of the scrum. Gus might have played prop but ironically, he had no clue about reffing a scrum. What about someone like Peter Marshall or Scott Young - blokes who no longer make their living from the game and can therefore speak freely? I've had laws-related conversations with a couple of retired test referees (Australians), and their insights are fascinating and revelatory. We won't get that on the record from anyone still required to toe the company (ARU) line.

They have been known in rare cases to jump ship and hand back their "Queenslander" status when they drink the Tah Koolaid. Djuro Sen is another example.

Agree wholeheartedly with the article. Cutting to the players de-bussing and watching them in the changing room with those ridiculous bloody earphones on to get "in the zone" is pathetic.

yep, the Foxtel scheduling changes are infuriating, and I dont get why they cant simply keep to one channel so that series linking doesnt get stuffed up (or is that their plan ?) Rugby HQ no doubt a mixed bag, but its rather good (is'nt it ?) seeing the real faces/personalities start to emerge when they do the fun segments - o'wise all we ever get is a monotone allied to an expressionless face spewing banalities and cliche's (cue Dave Dennis sitting next to Georgina Robinson) Also I really miss the live cross that the old Rugby Club had to NZ and SAF for an expert local commentator to give us their views of the upcoming games, or to brief us on any hot local topic that we would barely hear of Maloney: he's adding passion and some fun to the show, but tip: when you really havnt got a decent idea for this week's show, kill the segment and work on next weeks. Last week was pretty sad (even the panel were teasing him about it)

Sean malloney is actually a good commentator. He gets animated and has a great turn off phrase. G Martin is not bad. B Canon is absolute tripe.

Hi Allanthus and BBA, fair enough - but the reasons for resting Dagg have appeared a bit cloudy to me, again, a failing of the media? What I want to see though, is somebody who can take a look at the game – instead of reporting that the coach is scratching his head over why they lost – and give us some analysis. Why did the Crusaders take they approach they did? What is it exactly that the Sharks do in defense that works so well? Instead we're given media reports that the coach has no idea why they lost. With that kind of response, if I were a Crusaders supporter, I would be concerned.

I couldn't agree with this writer more. Get rid of Kearns + Martin, the two worst Rugby commentators in the world. Completely one eyed biased "experts" which makes me laugh because half of the stuff Kearns says is later corrected by Kafe because he actually knows what the rule book says. Horan is getting pretty bad these days to, I mean 'alleged stomp?' Come on! It's as clear as day. I guess he was the guy that ruled on Horwill's stomp a couple of years ago lol.

Rugby HQ is ARU sanctioned Waratah focused fluff. Plus players are so prepped by their media training in the pro era now that they all end up saying the same thing (nothing). i just switch over to Cheers or entourage. Same great suggestions for alternative content in here (would like to see a "where are they now segment" or even " the physics of scrummaging" by Topo Rodriguez?!!")

She writes for a sydney paper. Its not surprising.

Rugby HQ is woeful. I haven't watched it for some time now. Do they still have those two minute grabs from NZ and SA? Not as bad as Nine's Footy Show or at least that's my view considering I haven't watched the Footy Show since the Super League war. I enjoy Saturday afternoon's Shute Shield coverage with Steve Robilliard and Brett Papworth. Gordon Bray is still fondly remembered. Expert commentators are generally worthless. So often it is just inane waffle. League isn't much better but Sterliing and Matt Johns are the exceptions. Sharpe is terrible and Martin (don't mention Campese) is just as bad. Kearns is better but still comes out with too many inanities. Kafer isn't too bad, better than the former ones. They need a good prop in the vein of Budha to liven it up. Knowledgeable, humour and often incisive, a typical prop.

I can’t compare it to afl or NRL as I don’t watch them, but Fox treats Australian viewers like they know nothing. I’d rather listen to Justin Marshall doing a half time analysis of a game involving no Australian teams than watch people milling around outside an Australian stadium an hour before kickoff. Sean Maloney should be restricted to the highlights segment of Rugby HQ, and certainly not allowed to commentate on a live game. I would dearly love all of the broadcast partners to dump the idea of a “colour” commentator whose job it is to sound excited and say provocactive or controversial things (eg Murray mexted). There should be one expert, explayer and one main commentator and a sideline guy whose main job it is to report on sideline events and liaise with the sideline staff of the teams. The team doing the CHE v BRU game was excellent, mainly because of Joel Stransky’s thoughtful commentary.

I can't compare it to afl or NRL as I don't watch the!, but Fox treats Australian viewers like they know nothing. I'd rather listen to Justin Marshall doing a half time analysis of a game involving no Australian teams than watch people milling around outside an Australian stadium an hour before kickoff. Sean Maloney is a buffoon who should be restricted to the highlights segment of Rugby HQ, and certainly not allowed to commentate on a live game. I would dearly love all of the broadcast partners to dump the idea of a "colour" commentator whose job it is to sound excited and say provocactive or controversial things (eg Murray mexted). There should be one expert, explayer and one main commentator and a sideline guy whose main job it is to report on sideline events and liaise with the sideline staff of the teams. The team doing the CHE v BRU game was excellent, mainly because of Joel Stransky's thoughtful commentary.

i stopped watching the Rugby Show when it started to put all the supposedly fun segments in. Plus, their analysis of any SA or NZ derbies in advance is nano-second in length. they should try and be a SANZAR show, not just an Aussie boosterism program.

I agree Rugby HQ is overrated and is only an ego trip for Kearns and Martin, whilst Kafe offers a bit more depth. Perhaps we could ask rugby journos to get involved on TV.

Like you I would like there to be more variety and serious discussions on the hot topics of the week. I would also like more variety around the competition - teams from SA, NZ - as well as maybe a wrap of club rugby in Brisbane and Sydney. Maybe some news from overseas rugby - Top 14, RaboDirect 12, etc. The ABC used to have an excellent rugby wrap at halftime of its Sydney first grade coverage which was truly first class. I miss it. I like Nick McArdle as a host, I think Kafer is great, and I don't mind Moloney for a bit of fun. I think next prop model is a novel idea, why not, props are usually ignored by everyone except other props. There is a time for fun in these shows I think, otherwise we would take the game (remember it is a game) far too seriously. Maybe also a bit of where are they now - interviews with past players and what they are doing now.

Colin, I dont think Dagg was rested because of who they were playing. Dagg was rested because there was concern that he would injure himself further if played. Crusaders hae their faults, however Im not sure whether it is a fault or not but they do try hard to not sacrifice their players on the altar of Super rugby at the expense of the rest of their season. I dont think it is arrogance, I am sure they must know that it costs them games throughout the season, however their key players AB careeres are important to them. As a Crusaders fan it annoys the hell out of me, but i am also an AB fan too, and so I can understand.

Hi Colin I think there was some pretty good analysis of the Crusaders in the aftermath of their loss on the Roar live blog, and I also felt that the NZ commentary team paid due respect to the Sharks for what was a very gutsy win. So there are pockets of "good" out there. What I don't get about Fox Sport's treatment of rugby is that their viewer ratings aren't going to spiral upwards just because they lighten the show up. That's not going to attract any new non-rugby viewers, who don't understand the game and would turn away from in-depth discussion - they're going to turn off anyway. So Fox may as well talk "more adult" to the rugby audience and at least keep somebody happy. Farmer below is spot on about the quality of analysis and reportage on the Fox AFL shows. Football isn't far behind. So we know it can be done if there are people at the helm prepared to be honest about what can be achieved and hiring the right producer and panel to deliver it. But, as Andrew's article alludes to the need and desirability of improved coverage, none of us should be holding our breath waiting for it...

I'll start with my number 1 gripe. Given that many games are played whilst I'm actually at club rugby or in the middle of the night, I relly on the series link feature to record every match. The constant chopping and changing of channels disrupts this and is becoming irritating. Similarly that for some reason this season Fox doesn't seem to be able to get the timing right. I've lost count of how many times I've started a game only to be shown the result of a match I haven't had time to watch yet. Or been presented with 10minutes plus of the preceding show. On one occassion it went on so long that the end of the close match I was watching was cut off. Everywhere Georgie goes her report is almost exclusively about the Tahs. Very little mention about the home team. When in Perth she didn't mention the Force even though she would have had to drive past their state of the art facility to get to the ground the Tahs were training on. A segment I'd like to see is "Who is this guy". For example, this week Luke Burton debuted. I doubt that many people outside Perth have ever heard of this future Wallaby. Where did he come from, where does he play his club rugby. What positions can he play etc. I remember when the Tahs fans were going on about Alofa Alofa thinking exactly these things. What about a segment on the up and comers in the Academy. When the fox sports machine moves out of Sydney how about visiting the local Premier Grade and seeing what talent is there for future recruitment?