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Australia Super Rugby's 'low-hanging fruit' that fans weren't happy to welcome back
Rugby is finally back in Australia. After almost four months of inactivity, Super Rugby returned to Australia on Friday night in the form of the new Super Rugby AU competition.
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The Reds finally put the sword through an 11-match losing streak against their local rivals and handed the Waratahs a 32-29 defeat. Six tries were scored in the contest and two yellow cards were dished out in a game that was laden with animosity. The players obviously missed being out on the park playing rugby – but they also appeared to miss the (sometimes) good-natured banter between opposition.
All-in-all, it was a grand occasion – and fans took to social media to welcome back the sport to Australia.
I don’t know if it was the absence. Or this has been special. But I have enjoyed the pants off this game. #REDvWAR
— Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) July 3, 2020
Very enjoyable #REDvWAR game to open Super Rugby AU.
The likes of Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Jack Maddocks, and Lachlan Swinton underlining that Australian rugby has plenty of exciting young talent.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) July 3, 2020
Aussie rugby is back on the box. Enjoying this. #REDvWAR #rugby pic.twitter.com/bKwMXYcW6V
— The Rugby Ruckus Podcast (@therugbyruckus) July 3, 2020
There was one aspect of the match that few seemed happy with, however – the commentary.
Phil Kearns has regularly faced vocal opposition due to his seemingly one-eyed narration while rumours that the former Wallaby might try to oust Raelene Castle as CEO of Rugby Australia were also taken negatively by the wider public.
Kearns’ return to small screens around the globe on Friday night was certainly not received with open arms and fans vented their frustrations on Twitter.
God I’m already sick of Phil Kearns #REDvWAR
— Brumbies Boy (@brumby_fan) July 3, 2020
It’s reassuring that the Aus commentators haven’t improved during the lockdown…..
Side not coping with the new laws (being pinged for old laws so far as I can tell) #REDvWAR #SUperRugbyAU #SuperRugby— Paul from New Zealand Sport Radio (@DrivingMaul) July 3, 2020
Again, it’s low hanging fruit. But Kearns is horrific. Sounds sad, boring and heaps whiny. Like a vegan at a BBQ. #REDvWAR
— Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) July 3, 2020
Kearns actually just sounds like a fan who’s a 5 beers deep making one-eyed offhand comments to his mate beside him
— Jake Schmidt (@JakeSchmidt7) July 3, 2020
Yes. Adds no analysis at all. Compare with the role Justin Marshall does in the kiwi derbies, viewer deserves more
— J.B. Claims (@jbclaims) July 3, 2020
Who’s got a petition going to get rid of Phil Kearns? #REDvWAR
— the.honorable.fruitloop (@thatbigfattart) July 3, 2020
Im gonna start a petition for Kearns to never commentate a Tahs game again. At least try and be professional. #REDvWAR
— Kieran L ?? (@kieran_shaker) July 3, 2020
Kearns doing his best to lower the price for Fox. #REDvWAR
— Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) July 3, 2020
Who is more bias towards NSW
Phil Gould or Phil Kearns #REDvWAR
— Bryce Parker (@bryce_parker26) July 3, 2020
Watching #REDvWAR replay – Kearns is absolutely appalling. Biased, not coherent, unfinished sentences. Surely Australian rugby deserves better. @greg_clarkie
— Sydney NRC and OGDC Matt (@NrcSydney) July 3, 2020
Phil Kearns is a lot like Covid. There’s no vaccine to cure it, and for now, we just hope he goes away.
For someone who aspires to run Rugby Australia, his commentary bias is atrocious ?#fail #superrugbyau #REDvWAR— Qwine (@Qwine) July 3, 2020
Phil Kearns commentating whilst watching the Tahs lose warms the cockles of my little heart, it really does #REDvWAR
— Rhys Knott (@buck_mitchell) July 3, 2020
@FOXRUGBY can you please sanction Phil Kearns. He’s an embarrassment. The way he’s thrown his toys out of the cot in the last 5 minutes is pathetic. Just like his attempted run at CEO. #REDvWAR
— Nick McCarthy (@TheGenMcCarthy) July 3, 2020
@FOXRUGBY – I think you might have a problem. The top tweets referring to #REDvWAR last night all refer to your commentary rather than the game. Perhaps time for some self reflection on the part of one P. Kearns. Should have been done in iso really.
— Retz Rants (@RetzRants) July 4, 2020
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A number of the FOX commentators were let go during the shutdown period which means Kearns could be appearing even more frequently in the commentary box than in the past. Fans will either have to put up with the man they’ve come to hate or turn the volume down on their TV sets because it’s unlikely he’ll be moved off the airwaves any time soon.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments