There’s a lot more commentary about rugby than ever before, and a lot of it is negative.
There are gripes about the maul. There are also complaints about the players, referees and laws. And there are comments about commentators. But the major grievance is that rugby is boring, especially the lack of time for ball in play (BIP).
I am here to debunk that. The problem is not BIP. The problem is confounded TV producers and their equally confounded business partners and technical advisors. I am sure they are doing their best. What we can do is try to help them do better.
Before talking about producers, let us consider the impact of BIP. The percent of ‘ball in play’ for rugby is certainly lower than other popular sports such as soccer, basketball and AFL. But it is significantly higher than the most popular sport in the largest economy in the world, American football, which is organised by the National Football League (NFL).
NFL is full of stoppages. It is notorious for them. An average professional NFL match goes for well over three hours, but the ball in play is only 11 minutes.
If you think rugby can be boring, try stripping out the supporting information and production values used during stoppages in the NFL – it would be a total snooze fest. This is where rugby fails to learn from the best. Instead of looking at NFL, rugby producers ostensibly take the easy way and look over the fence at rugby league and AFL. These are incorrect benchmarks.
Rugby deserves different treatment. Producers should embellish upon a game that is beautifully diverse, intelligent, and passionate. Each breakdown and its consequence is so darn smart that you have to replay, slow down, illustrate and articulate to appreciate it. It is also the same for mauls, scrums and just about everything that happens at the paddock. It is the very same thing in NFL.
Don’t complain about stoppages. Make the most of them.
Now, let’s talk about producers.
NFL producers are very industrious. They are also smart. They know the devil is in the great amount of accurate and timely detail that goes to the articulators – that is, the live commentators. They are relentless in obtaining the most appropriate analysis, articulation and appreciation of the game being played and the sport in general. NFL does not complain about stoppages, it uses stoppages.
It is a crying shame that rugby gets almost none of this type of treatment. Based on the latest Roar Rugby Podcast by Brett and Hazza with the effervescent Sean Maloney, the commentators get only basic data. Then they are left to fend for themselves. They are not provided any of the 21st-century statistics or the digital tools and big data – or the AI that can manifest it.
What kind of people do they use in NFL? One of the best commentators and analysts of the NFL was John Madden. This is because he was one of the most successful coaches in the history of their game and is loved by all. During his playing days he was loved by players, staff, colleagues and his bosses. As a commentator, his technical nous and his aura drew in over a 100 million fans.
How many of these types of guys are used for rugby? None so far. But these people exist.
Regarding technical nous, aside from folks such as Nick Bishop, one of the best analysts in the world is Nick’s compatriot, Squidge Rugby on YouTube. His insights, replays and depth of knowledge make you love the game even more. He is a funny guy, but I’m unsure he can do live broadcasts. It seems he talks too fast and lives too far from the Pacific. Also, he’s not a coach.
Nevertheless, many of the values he brings are those that producers need to deliver in rugby. Because of its unique sport market composition, Australia is the best place to deliver a 21st-century rugby production. Anything else will lead our game into its inevitable obscurity in Australia.
The solutions are staring right at us, waiting. Now is the time for Aussie administrators and producers to embrace rugby’s true nature, including and especially the stoppages.
Bludger
Guest
Thought this would be about a rugby union video game. As 'Madden' can refer to the EA Sports NFL title. In the UK there are a lot of excellent pundits on union. NZ also has some but they are just too AB Test rugby focused to bother listening to. A pro rugby world needs vibrant week on week club comps like England and France have, not one sided developmental competitions like Super rugger.
RobC
Roar Guru
Yes. We also need squidge level analysis. This will make the game much much more popular
RobC
Roar Guru
Thanks Coker. NFL still has a lot of dead time after the analysis. I think there'sv plenty of time to analyse and present the game a lot better. The current commentators are ok. But I think we need coaches instead
RobC
Roar Guru
This would be the kind of thing we need. Combine this with coach level commentary, then it would bring the game to a higher level
RobC
Roar Guru
Cheers GP. Danny Mc is ostensibly astute. The first step in expert commentary is using coaches. In fact just like Madison, bring in one of the best coaches: - he will be an excellent analyst - very good communicator - an educator - an astute leader - and knows about the game more than 99.9% of the rugby population - knows all about the competencies needed by the teams and players - knows about teams and the players . It is very easy for producers to make the change. They are just looking at the wrong places for solutions.
RobC
Roar Guru
I think much of the technology is there MrChook. But it's not used. Doesn't have to be slick. Only to be informative :)
RobC
Roar Guru
Cheers Ogato. This will change the game quite literally imo
RobC
Roar Guru
:laughing: Fun film that piru
RobC
Roar Guru
I'm sure it's all available live, Billy Boy. It's a matter of putting in the right people in the production team
RobC
Roar Guru
Frankly, sounds like a lot of fun, Frankly
RobC
Roar Guru
Cheers Coker. There's actually a lot of dead time in NFL even after the analysis. Still a lot of time looking at players, audience, etc . I think the first thing producers need to do is put the best coaches as commentators like Madison. The most successful coach in NFL of his time, and one of best ever. They use the real stats that are used to win
Geoff Parkes
Expert
I'm even later in - hope the party is still going? I hadn't thought about this much Rob, until Dan McKellar talked about exactly the same thing you've written about here. We're taking our cues and setting expectations relative to the wrong sports. NFL is the go. I'm not as confident as you that we have enough of the right expert commentators, nor the broadcasters with the $ and will to re-write the playbook on how to broadcast rugby, but no question the potential is huge. Would love someone to have a crack.
Machooka
Roar Guru
MrRobC! :happy: Sorry buddy but late to this one... I totally get where you're coming from... as I always been a fan of the slick production of our American cousins and their sporting telecasts. But the problem for us is pretty much the available money to do the things we all know are needed to be done to fill in the 'holes' of a rugby match. I reckon if we had a million views these 'holes' would be filled... :laughing:
piru
Roar Rookie
Some simple stuff they could incorporate almost straight away would be: * distance travelled by a player * kicking yards * TRM won or lost
piru
Roar Rookie
The Madden / Summerall combo was brilliant - up there with Lawry and Greig for entertainment value. "The Replacements" is a great movie featuring the duo "Hey I think he's neckin with that cheerleader!" "Is that allowed John" "What are they gonna do, put him in football jail?"
piru
Roar Rookie
Not if you know what's going on - if you know what each coach, player and team is trying to achieve it's fascinating.
Billy Boy
Roar Rookie
Late to this article Rob, apologies. I agree 100%, if they broadcasters could incorporate some of the tech stats during the game it becomes a lot more valuable. I know its good to get them after the game but relevance really depends if your team wins or loses. If it's the former do you care that much you won after all and a loss well we all know how that feels
Ogato
Roar Rookie
As a Kiwi living in the States both during the Madden coaching era and later with him as a commentator, I got to enjoy the game and still enjoy watching it. His coaching style and later his insight and personality helped foster my enjoyment of the game. This is despite the 3- hour telecast. So what made him (and the other great commentator) so good? Firstly, its knowledge of how it’s played, and the roles of all the players in all positions. Therefore, any rugby commentator would ideally have been a coach. A great player would not have this breadth of understanding of all the positions. Secondly, they should know the Laws of the game and their interpretation. Not necessarily as a referee, but having refereed a few games they might appreciate how much decision-making their is, how little time there is to make these decisions, and how they might/might not affect the ‘flow’ of the game. Thirdly, they should be widely read about the game. Read some insightful biographies/ autobiographies and reflective books and articles that offer valued insights into the game to add to their commentary. Also, contributions of scholars of the game (and I don’t mean just academics) can add detail. For example, in this morning’s Otago newspaper, there is an article on how the game has lost its way and provides ‘fodder’ for commentary (https://www.odt.sport.rugby/game-isn’t-it-should-be-now-dozens-rules-get-way), which prompted this response. So what is the solution to improve the commentary? Select the right people based on their knowledge and understanding of the game, broaden their perspective, provide them with good technical support and a producer who understands what the commentator is trying to do. A bit like a coach, really!
Frankly
Guest
I always thought Collage Football had a great game day experience, with the marching band, cheer leaders, and all. The tailgate BBQs are also something great about the culture. The food and the beer need to improve. Apart of me died when the laws change to band full strength beer. Another thing, I enjoyed kicking the ball around the field after a Swan's game. It was a great atmosphere for the kids.
RobC
Roar Guru
cheers mate