Rugby Commentators/Presenters
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I think some of the comms people are very good game analysts, but shit at commentating. 
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@billy-tell said in NZ Rugby Commentators: Still like Nisbo. Far and away my favourite commentator. Nisbo still the man IMHO. Agree Rikki Swannell the best of the next generation. Not sold on TJ or Meg though. 
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A good commentator is often like a good referee. When they do a good job you barely even notice they’re there. Unfortunately that’s exceedingly rare these days. 
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@mn5 said in NZ Rugby Commentators: @bones said in NZ Rugby Commentators: @mn5 and Chats! Although he was probably only there to pick everyone up from the airport and drop them back. I would pay big money just to sit in a cab and talk cricket with chats. I bet he has some yarns Cab fare isn't that big even for a Scotsman is it? Just book him for a blat around mate! 
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@bones said in NZ Rugby Commentators: @mn5 said in NZ Rugby Commentators: @bones said in NZ Rugby Commentators: @mn5 and Chats! Although he was probably only there to pick everyone up from the airport and drop them back. I would pay big money just to sit in a cab and talk cricket with chats. I bet he has some yarns Cab fare isn't that big even for a Scotsman is it? Just book him for a blat around mate! Good point. I’d charge it to my work expense account. 
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I like Nisbo. Perhaps its just familiarity but I enjoy his commentary. Justin Marshall annoys me no end. He acts like he is the "knowledgable expert" and yet he doesn't understand basic laws of rugby. Personally I always like Mexted as a colour commentator. They should bring him back. 
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@bovidae said in NZ Rugby Commentators: @yeetyaah said in NZ Rugby Commentators: Hames makes some outrageous claims at times. Hames is often critical of referees' decisions, which is surprising as he is a ref himself. No idea if he is any good though. At least he knows what he’s talking about on the scrum ones. 
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@damo said in NZ Rugby Commentators: I like Nisbo. Perhaps its just familiarity but I enjoy his commentary. Justin Marshall annoys me no end. He acts like he is the "knowledgable expert" and yet he doesn't understand basic laws of rugby. Personally I always like Mexted as a colour commentator. They should bring him back. You probably wish Philip Sherry still read the news too 
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@bovidae said in NZ Rugby Commentators: Jeff McTainsh is probably the guy Sky needs to use more. Maybe Nigel Yalden does more TV commentary. I'll add that a lot of the former players used in supporting roles are terrible too I can usually tolerate below standard play by play calling (including mistakes) if the “expert” analysis is insightful and balanced. But that has been pretty underwhelming for a few years now (RIP JD). Mute is your friend. 
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Well I don't get too excited over who is commentating games. I maybe different, but I quite enjoy Ken Laban, mainly because I get impression he loves the game and actually goes to a lot of school and club rugby when off air. I also enjoy Hames whoI find has interesting points of view from refs decisions at times. TJ , Nesbitt etc I can take or leave, when I watch rugby I kind of take more interest in what players are doing more than commentators. 
 In saying that I find Justin Marshall a bit annoying when he rants about decisions that quite often he has got wrong. Point things out but don't harp I tend to think. Still I have just got back form 20 odd years in Aus and had a diet of Kearnsire and Marto etc who at times tried their hardest to be comedians, which doesn't work.
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@dan54 said in NZ Rugby Commentators: Well I don't get too excited over who is commentating games. I maybe different, but I quite enjoy Ken Laban, mainly because I get impression he loves the game and actually goes to a lot of school and club rugby when off air. I also enjoy Hames whoI find has interesting points of view from refs decisions at times. TJ , Nesbitt etc I can take or leave, when I watch rugby I kind of take more interest in what players are doing more than commentators. 
 In saying that I find Justin Marshall a bit annoying when he rants about decisions that quite often he has got wrong. Point things out but don't harp I tend to think. Still I have just got back form 20 odd years in Aus and had a diet of Kearnsire and Marto etc who at times tried their hardest to be comedians, which doesn't work.When does therapy start? 
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Ken Laban is the best with his fantastic pronunciations followed by Rikki Swannell. Not many good expert commentators sadly, too much of a boys club on sky. Bring back Jon Preston, that man knows his stuff. 













