Is the Australian media a joke?

[beerholder]

Is the aussie media so desperate for attention that they have to antagonize in order to stir the audience into confrontation? Is it really necessary to make a tabloid out of rugby and turn it into the cesspool football is? What's with the arrogant perception over every other teams but your own?

The majority of the articles I read about the match with Ireland saw the Wallaby defeat as either accident due to poor performance or refereeing bias, completely disregarding the Irish. That's pretty arrogant I thought...

Besides the World Cup, they have fed the egos of the players with exaggerated praise complimenting them over every crappy statistic they achieved and eventually turning them into legitimate assholes. Leaving Q Cooper aside, many times I've seen O Connor yelling at the touch judge and now even Beale is starting to get illusions of grandeur...

And after scoring a try, since when is doing a back flip, cartwheel or a team dance necessary to rub in the opponent's face? And celebrated by playing it in endless TV montages? Wasn't rugby about respect and fair play? How often do you see this behavior in NH rugby? Ashton does the swan jump, but I'm waiting for the moment when he'll drop the ball, we have a good laugh and he stops doing it!

I downloaded the WC match of Romania vs Scotland that incidentally was broadcasted by fox. The aussie commentators were treating the game and the teams like it was a joke, making sarcastic comments about both teams while giggling in the background. It wasn't the top tier rugby that you're used to, but at least treat the teams with some respect.


Sorry if I'm not making sense but I don't want to see the rugby world transform into a bunch of egocentric "stars" who can't think outside their own farts like it happened in football so long ago...

 

[Tricia McMillan]

Media is a joke in general, rugby or otherwise, Australian or otherwise.

 

[Sam91]

What is all this Australian Media is crap rhetoric? 70% of Australian Media is News Corporation so derrrr of course it's a joke. I haven't really read anything that said anything other than the irish executed their game plan perfectly and shut the wallabies down, but obviously they played **** and as it's Australian media and do you really think Australian's want to read lots of articles about how awesome ireland played. Media is still a business and they have a product to sell and therefore their product may not be necessarily directed at people whom aren't Australian. I'm sure if you had a closer look at other countries media you would start to sense a bias towards their own country. I fail to see how doing a backflip is disrespectful either, He scored a try, he celebrated with a 3 second back flip, in the end it's just a game, if that is too much for anyone playing perhaps they shouldn't being playing.

 

[beerholder]

I understand the business concept, but what is beyond comprehension is the level of journalistic amateurism they treat rugby. It's like a tabloid where inciting conflict is a must in order to strike a sensitive cord on the fans. Am I the only one who sees the potential dangers in this? The rugby fans are generally educated folk but it's enough for the media to fix ideas into their heads so they start beating each other on the stadiums...

 

[petehooker]

Agree with the points madebt Tricia McMillan and Beerholder.

Yes the media everywhere are basically sensationalist, and yes, the less rugby resembles the round ball game the better. Trying to pressure refs and over celebrating scores are just not on.

 

[nickdnz]

I understand the business concept, but what is beyond comprehension is the level of journalistic amateurism they treat rugby. It's like a tabloid where inciting conflict is a must in order to strike a sensitive cord on the fans. Am I the only one who sees the potential dangers in this? The rugby fans are generally educated folk but it's enough for the media to fix ideas into their heads so they start beating each other on the stadiums...

I agree. I've always hated Australian commentators. They're rude, bias and unprofessional. Fact is, for some reason or another Sky has decided to give rugby players with the IQ of 80, a majority of commentator positions. I get sick to death of Australian commentators spend 20 minutes talking about how in their days, front rows didn't wear orange shoes, 40 minutes wanking over Quade Cooper and the remainding 20 minutes criticising the opposition. They're appalling, and yet there are people on this forum who will for some reason or another, claim that the Australian commentators are the most entertaining. I don't understand it, I think they're shocking for the game.

But when you get right down to it, Sky is famous for employing commentators who are former players instead of broadcasters. This is an issue that is pretty close to home for me, as that's essentially the career path I'm aiming for. I have so much respect for Tony Johnson, Grant Nisbett (even if he is half blind) and Scotty Stevenson because they can actually call a game and didn't get the job because of their playing careers. I think Grant Fox is alright (despite me disagreeing with most of his opinions) and I generally find both Ian Smith and Jon Preston pretty good, but they're the exception. Murray Mexted is just an idiot and the more he talks the less I like him, Ian Jones and Karl Te Nana has a voice that can make an exciting game boring and Justin Marshall is the most interminable broadcaster I've ever had the displeasure to listen to.

If you're talking about disrespectful broadcasting, I thought Stuart Barnes' commentation during England v Georgia was very poor. He did point out the Georgia were playing out of their skins, but put it all down to England playing badly and dismissing any chance of an upset. He also made a dig at a fellow broadcaster in which it went quiet for like 35 seconds.

 

[dullonien]

If you're talking about disrespectful broadcasting, I thought Stuart Barnes' commentation during England v Georgia was very poor. He did point out the Georgia were playing out of their skins, but put it all down to England playing badly and dismissing any chance of an upset. He also made a dig at a fellow broadcaster in which it went quiet for like 35 seconds.

Well that's to be expected, he's a one eyed idiot, who has nothing good to say about any other nation than England. While we're on the matter of commentators, I've been hating Vickery's **** poor attempts at commentating on ITV. I don't think I've heard him mention the other team when England have been playing, and it's very poor form to continually refer to England as 'we' and 'us'. I know it must be tough for him considering how recently he played for England, and probably feels part of the squad in some way, but why did ITV pick him?

Gotta say that one of my favourite commentators at the moment is Ieuan Evans, unfortunately he's not doing any coverage of the WC, but I've generally found him unbiased and very knowlegable. The ITV commentary has been pretty poor in general I must say. Gareth Thomas has never been a great talking person. I've enjoyed Thom Evans (or is it Max, I can never remember) in the studio though. Pienar is good aswell.

One final complaint. Anyone else dispise the new obsession of touch screen tv's used in the studio for analysis and showing the team? I've seen it on Sky, ITV and even on ScrumV, and it's just pointless and irritating, not to mention that it struggles to work propperly!

 

[SelimNiai]

Think we all know my views on Barnes so I'm not going there.

I like Nick Mullins' commentary, I find him the best in the Uk.

To the original point, yes the Aussies rugby commentary is poor and greatly biased. But then again there is no such thing as a 100% impartial journalist, every single one has grudges etc. It's the good ones who make it hard to tell.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

Is the Australian media a joke?

Yes. You can close this thread now.

 

[DallyM]

yes they are a joke. they have articles saying 'i went to a match a couple of years ago, and some kiwis asked ready to lose mate? they're clearly the worst crowds in the world'

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Hi, i'm just checking in for the gangbang

 

[Wally]

 

[smartcooky]

I agree. I've always hated Australian commentators. They're rude, bias and unprofessional. Fact is, for some reason or another Sky has decided to give rugby players with the IQ of 80, a majority of commentator positions. I get sick to death of Australian commentators spend 20 minutes talking about how in their days, front rows didn't wear orange shoes, 40 minutes wanking over Quade Cooper and the remainding 20 minutes criticising the opposition. They're appalling, and yet there are people on this forum who will for some reason or another, claim that the Australian commentators are the most entertaining. I don't understand it, I think they're shocking for the game.

But when you get right down to it, Sky is famous for employing commentators who are former players instead of broadcasters. This is an issue that is pretty close to home for me, as that's essentially the career path I'm aiming for. I have so much respect for Tony Johnson, Grant Nisbett (even if he is half blind) and Scotty Stevenson because they can actually call a game and didn't get the job because of their playing careers. I think Grant Fox is alright (despite me disagreeing with most of his opinions) and I generally find both Ian Smith and Jon Preston pretty good, but they're the exception. Murray Mexted is just an idiot and the more he talks the less I like him, Ian Jones and Karl Te Nana has a voice that can make an exciting game boring and Justin Marshall is the most interminable broadcaster I've ever had the displeasure to listen to.

If you're talking about disrespectful broadcasting, I thought Stuart Barnes' commentation during England v Georgia was very poor. He did point out the Georgia were playing out of their skins, but put it all down to England playing badly and dismissing any chance of an upset. He also made a dig at a fellow broadcaster in which it went quiet for like 35 seconds.

In particular, Tony Johnson is very knowledgeable on both the history of the game, and the Laws of the Game. He has a great "feel" for how a match is proceeding, and a ton of respect for all rugby teams regardless of their skill levels. He can make a dour forward struggle in the pouring rain sound every bit as exciting as a hard-track fast running tryfest. He also writes excellent articles in Rugby News, New Zealand Rugby World and for the Sky Sport website.

IMO TJ is the best Rugby Commentator in Australasia with Gordon Bray probably second.

 

[Sam91]

The Sydney Morning Herald is running a story about how hostile nz fans are! Australian media at it again http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/r...vibe-is-marring-world-cup-20110921-1kkc8.html we can dish it out, but we sure can't take it

 

[Shaggy]

The Sydney Morning Herald is running a story about how hostile nz fans are! Australian media at it again http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/r...vibe-is-marring-world-cup-20110921-1kkc8.html we can dish it out, but we sure can't take it

... It's a shame how some of the New Zealand fans don't see the bigger picture, which is overseas visitors need to enjoy their experience in New Zealand if they are going to come back.

Tourism is New Zealand's number one industry, and like all industries, some of the best ways of generating income is through repeat sales, and positive word of mouth comments.

 

[Sam91]

... It's a shame how some of the New Zealand fans don't see the bigger picture, which is overseas visitors need to enjoy their experience in New Zealand if they are going to come back.

Tourism is New Zealand's number one industry, and like all industries, some of the best ways of generating income is through repeat sales, and positive word of mouth comments.

Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about it though, it happens everywhere Australia included, Most people here know that New Zealanders are good people and every exchange I have had with them has been nothing but pleasant, But like i said there are tossers everywhere and nz is not immune and most people can recognise that.

 

[nickdnz]

Both the New Zealand and Sydney Morning Herald are just rubbish. They're consistantly negative and devoid of substance, their just editorials disguised as articles. When ever a forigner starts a topic with "New Zealand Media says" I want to edit it and say "Just the New Zealand F*cking Herald says" as it's created by the most ignorent, negative and bias humans on earth. Everything has to be a controversial viewpoint or a total embalishment or uneducated speculation, so for anyone one on this forum - NEVER QUOTE FROM THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD AS AN EXAMPLE OF NEW ZEALANDER'S OPINIONS! Quote from the Dominion Post, as while it's not brillaint, it's not anywhere near as rubbish as the Herrald.

 

[Shaggy]

Both the New Zealand and Sydney Morning Herald are just rubbish. They're consistantly negative and devoid of substance, their just editorials disguised as articles. When ever a forigner starts a topic with "New Zealand Media says" I want to edit it and say "Just the New Zealand F*cking Herald says" as it's created by the most ignorent, negative and bias humans on earth. Everything has to be a controversial viewpoint or a total embalishment or uneducated speculation, so for anyone one on this forum - NEVER QUOTE FROM THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD AS AN EXAMPLE OF NEW ZEALANDER'S OPINIONS! Quote from the Dominion Post, as while it's not brillaint, it's not anywhere near as rubbish as the Herrald.

I guess they also quoting Miles Davis from NZ's Radio Sport too ... I guess if you are going to have a moan at all, it will be on talk back radio, but Miles would know about abuse from kiwi fans ... I remember him walking around the basin reserve at an England V New Zealand one day match, wearing the union jack as a cape ... I seem to recall he was attracting a bit of abuse (and a couple of missiles that day) ... but he gave as good as he got

 

[NJR1]

Both the New Zealand and Sydney Morning Herald are just rubbish. They're consistantly negative and devoid of substance, their just editorials disguised as articles. When ever a forigner starts a topic with "New Zealand Media says" I want to edit it and say "Just the New Zealand F*cking Herald says" as it's created by the most ignorent, negative and bias humans on earth. Everything has to be a controversial viewpoint or a total embalishment or uneducated speculation, so for anyone one on this forum - NEVER QUOTE FROM THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD AS AN EXAMPLE OF NEW ZEALANDER'S OPINIONS! Quote from the Dominion Post, as while it's not brillaint, it's not anywhere near as rubbish as the Herrald.

HAHA thats funny, a none Aucklander slagging off a Auckland paper, all papers in NZ are the same, rubbish... I don't understand the hate of Auckland, by anyone South of the Bombay Hills

 

[Sony_PS3_Williams]

The Australian media were arrogant before the Irish match and I don't blame them as our performances prior to Saturdays game were awful. Media is the same everywhere, I hate it here too. They were right about the performance but the referee made some poor decisions on both sides.