Jumping on board the Waratahs’ bandwagon in 2015 turned out to be both a blessing and a curse.
It gave me the taste of victory, a sweet tease of the nectar of success that the Waratahs would not be able to emulate for the next five years.
The curse comes from being a long-suffering Waratahs fan, combined with the implosion that Australian rugby has managed to navigate itself towards in recent years. It has not been particularly fun being a rugby fan, but for some reason I’ve stuck with it.
Much of that negativity, somewhat oddly, has come from those that are meant to have a strong stake in supporting and growing the game, Fox Sports. Without delving deep into the drama of broadcast negotiations, NewsCorp campaigns against Raelene Castle, and that social media post, it’s fair to say Fox’s coverage of rugby has dwindled to a shadow of what it used to be.
Axing popular presenters such as Sean Maloney, Drew Mitchell and in particular the highly respected Nick McArdle has reduced the commentary team to centre around the talents of Phil Kearns. While he seems to have responded to the uproar around his negative commentary, his coverage still outwardly lacks basic enthusiasm for the game, despite his pedigree.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The failures of Fox Sports are many, but that’s not what I want to focus on.
Instead, there are actually many blessings that are coming from the rise of (somewhat) independent media.
In the vacuum of analysis, commentary and engagement has come a large number of contenders to fill that void.
The Roar continues to provide astute commentary and analysis in the form of regular contributors such as Nick Bishop (tactical analysis), Brett McKay (Australian commentary and analysis), and Geoff Parkes (governance and whole-game insight). Perhaps we simply need a return of the Cheap Seats to round out The Roar’s offering? Over to you, Brett…
Beyond this, RugbyAU has picked up their game and is now offering regular podcasts such as Rugby Nation with Nick McArdle and Christy Doran (formerly of Fox Sports), and Captain’s Corner with George Gregan. Doran has also taken over the reins from Beth Newman and is providing an engaging level of provocative headlines combined with informative journalism that is great to read.
Morgan Turinui and Ben Kimber teamed up with RugbyPass to offer The Tight Five live show on a Sunday night, with a combination of insightful commentary, quality interviews and Morgan’s analysis of key moments in the weekend’s games.
In addition, there are smaller independent podcasts. Caleb Timu’s Timu Time covers a wide range of topics including rugby, marriage, faith and addictions, with guests ranging from Taniela Tupou to reggae artists. Berrick Barnes’ The Ball and All had an absolutely fascinating interview with Raelene Castle after her axing, while Green and Gold Rugby love to tease us with their inconsistent yet highly enjoyable offerings. I’ve also teamed up with my close mate Mitch Foster to launch The Pick and Drive Rugby Podcast.
Perhaps the failure of Fox Sports to provide engaging media for the game they’ve paid for, and may well be paying for beyond 2020, has provided a blessing in disguise.
Yes, Australian rugby is not in a healthy place and may well struggle for the next few years. But what we’ve seen over the last six months has been the initiative of people who love the game to commit to supporting it in whatever way they can, be they professional or independent.
The diatribe coming from mainstream media has been disheartening, but when you look beneath the surface there are fresh shoots pushing through to the surface. That’s why I remain positive about rugby in Australia, both now and into the future.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Nine hasn't bid for rugby rights - despite RA indication it has Rugby Australia has been indicating to its rights holders that a rival broadcaster had submitted a bid for the broadcast rights. It hasn't. 18th September, 2020 SMH by Tom Decent and Zoe Samios. At the moment it appears there is NO interest in broadcasting Australian Super Rugby.
Waxhead
Roar Rookie
@Double Agent No mate hehehe - they already got you long ago - took them a milisecond. It's the blissfully ignorant like you that are their favourite sheep :thumbup:
Double Agent
Guest
I'd love to see the nightclub bouncer that kept Hika Reid out of a job!!
Double Agent
Guest
Waxy I strongly advise that every morning you check under the bed for Newscorp Stooges. They're comin' to Getcha!!
Double Agent
Guest
Maloney IS commentating on Shute Shield. Wake up!
jeznez
Roar Guru
I think the Super AU matches have been some of the best for the Tahs in the last five years. Some exciting young players coming through. Plus excellent improvement on counter attack. Hopefully overall improvements continue
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
That is 100% spot on. Maloney has that enthusiasm and if he was commentating on Shute shield I might even watch that. Just listening to Kerns complain about everything when the Tahs are loosing makes me want to turn the TV off or at least find the ESPN Spanish version.
Ando
Roar Rookie
Cheers Rhino! It's been a good time, I've thoroughly enjoyed this season, particularly the development that nearly every team has had. I've heard/read people complain about the after-game chat. However, I don't care if they get along after the game so long as the intensity during the match remains high, like it has.
Ando
Roar Rookie
Agreed. A sightly tangential issue, but it's also amazing how many of those podcasts are NOT kid friendly, with regular swearing the normal. I'm no angel, but I'm careful what I listen to with a 5YO in the car, which really limits the options. (Part of the reason I started my own pod!!)
Ando
Roar Rookie
Compare him to Ray Warren. Now I don't think Rabs is as good as he was perhaps 5-10 years ago, but the passion he brings even in a run of the mill hit-up is amazing. "SMASHES INTO THE DEFENCE!" The annoying thing is that sometimes Kearns genuinely has insightful analysis of the game. It's just sandwiched between morose sounding statements, and complaints about the conduct of this/that/the other.
Ando
Roar Rookie
That's the big question isn't it, there's been radio silence. In my mind that leaves two options. They didn't get any reasonable bids, OR they're in complex negotiations as the potential structures for 2021 start firming up.
Ando
Roar Rookie
I'll be honest Jez, I went along to the 2014 final not having watched more than 1-2 games in the season, a mate invited me. However, I was hooked! I think being relatively fresh means I have fairly low expectations, and am just happy to see development/progress, the catch-phrase for the Tahs in 2020.
Fracktobunt
Roar Rookie
It’s all vague isn’t it. Only update I’ve read was that Foxtel hasn’t responded in writing but is still interested. Also said that Optus is still believed to be interested but no one seems to know anything about them or whether they responded to the tender.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Never mind Phil Kearns . I saw Tim Horan giving the Reds a pre-match pep talk. I can’t listen to Greg Clark . I like the NZ , SA and British commentators. RA should take a short term deal with Fox. Then work on the product they are trying to sell. I’m not sure that the Glasgow Gang can deliver. We are about to find out .
GWSingapore
Roar Rookie
I had the pleasure of visiting the Hawick (pronounced Hoyik) rugby club in Scotland in 2017. Bill McLaren remains an absolute legend in the region despite having passed away several years ago. The entire town turned out for his funeral in 2010.
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
I'm interested in your point about no free to air option Waxhead. There are lots of particularly older fans like me who don't have Foxtel, Kayo, etc for different reasons. So the only free to air that I've seen in the past for top tier RU matches have been replays on Channel 10. And there's only a few of them, mostly test and Bledisloe matches, which is good. But I can watch some free to air live matches for AFL and NRL every week in normal times. And I reckon that this helps maintain and increase their following. I've thought for a long time that the ARU should have a good look at what the other codes are doing because it seems to work for them.
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Expressions of Interest for our Broadcast Rights closed 10 days ago. Does anyone know if anyone expressed their interest in writing? If not, where to from here?
Hugh_96
Roar Pro
Interesting article, something I have been thinking about also. There has been a real growth at grassroots independent podcasts and commentary. There are so many Oz podcasts it's impossible to listen to them all - there at least 3 just covering the Shute Shield. Last week I even listened to the WA's Rugby Wrap with an interview with the Force coach. Another was the USA one Rugby Wrap Up which focussed on the experience of 3 players with racism in society and in rugby, also very interesting in the current environment. The Aussie Rugby Show gets a thumbs up from my son, probably the only thing he watches apart from the games, it is fast and funny. The Rugby Ruckus gives me the insights to the game. At grassroots in Sydney there is a lot of streaming (with & without commentary) of all sorts of club, Colts, subbies & women's rugby via Cluch TV and Barsports and even on the radio via SWR 999 FM - just need to spread the word it's available so it builds up a support in due course. Things are really changing in terms of how we get our rugby info - it is no longer from Foxtel except the games. Am looking forward to see it pans out.
Beni Iniesta
Guest
They can leave now if they want. The current contact is only for this season is it not? You should ask yourself why they don't.
Beni Iniesta
Guest
Paycuts incoming. Same for every other sport