NO KAFE OR KEARNS - I CAN BREATH. https://www.mediaweek.com.au/stan-sport-announces-rugby-commentary-team-for-2021-season/
Solid cast, I'm surprised Lou Ransome didn't get a gig though?
I really disliked Drew Mitchell when he first started commentating, was trying to be one of the boys still making inside jokes, was pretty lame to watch. But I thought he really improved through his discussion on the Aussie Rugby Show season, and think he is a good addition now.
Yes, it's really important to see what approach Stan take to engaging the audience. The talent is good, but like you say with Drew, it depends whether they are pushed to be intelligent, analytical, and welcoming to a wide audience, or allowed to just run with the stupid inside jokes. E.g. Ch9 cricket in its declining years.
The Ch9 cricket commentators you speak of had an average age of 65, had held their posts for 20 years and came from an era of arrogance within Australian cricket.
These guys are a whole different kettle of fish, they're broadcasting on behalf of a new investment and know they need to build this audience outside the core group of staunch supporters if Super Rugby has any chance of regaining its footing within Australian sports broadcasts. I have pretty high hopes for this crew.
To be honest I'm surprised they don't have another traditionally League type commentator involved aside from Ferguson. I thought Nine might make a play to stir up some conversation outside the regular circles.
NO KAFE OR KEARNS - I CAN BREATHE. https://www.mediaweek.com.au/stan-sport-announces-rugby-commentary-team-for-2021-season/
Solid cast, I'm surprised Lou Ransom didn't get a gig though?
Not bad.
Diversity. Dropped the guy with African heritage for a guy with Pacific Islander heritage and added two women.
Would have liked to see Tiana Penitani, Mollie Gray, Georgia Robinson, Chloe Dalton or Lou Ransome get a run. Might be hard for the two current players but the rest all have a background in this stuff.
Some other names worth looking at Saia or Ant Fainga'a, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Giteau and Christian Lealiifano (pretty sure he has been cut from his Japanese team).
I guess Morgan has had the most recent high performance experience with his time at the Rebels (his analysis is always outstanding). Would like to get another analytical head in there. Someone with recent top coaching or playing experience.
Hoiles and/or Gerrad would have been good but both coaching in the USA.
Love how News Corp marketed this as innovative and a new exciting development. When in reality it’s just a competitor folding and Telstra paying a discount for those customers to go to Kayo. Data free viewing was the biggest benefit out of Telstra offering this package, now that’s gone.
Yes, it's really important to see what approach Stan take to engaging the audience. The talent is good, but like you say with Drew, it depends whether they are pushed to be intelligent, analytical, and welcoming to a wide audience, or allowed to just run with the stupid inside jokes. E.g. Ch9 cricket in its declining years.