The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:13 pm  

Yesterday, during the Catalans-Widnes match on Sky, we heard Anthony Rea (aka "Tony Ray") as sole commentator along with match caller William Arthur. What a breath of fresh air! Not since the days of Shaun McRae as sole commentator have I enjoyed a Sky commentary so much.

Anthony Rea was outstanding. He was cool, measured and scientific about the game and the players. No Phillip Clarke psychobabble. No Barry McDermott and Terence banalities and cliches. It was all thoughtful and insightful. Rea showed just how important it is to have an intelligent and articulate former coach as the TV analyst of a game.

If Anthony Rea was the sole commentator along with Edward Hemmings, nobody would complain about Hemmings.

Clarke, McDermott and O'Connor are the problem. Rea is the solution.

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:21 pm  

I'll cancel my sky subscription if that dour bloke becomes a permanent fixture.

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Sun Jun 10, 2018 8:30 pm  

Towns88 wrote:

I'll cancel my sky subscription if that dour bloke becomes a permanent fixture.

There is nothing wrong with being dour in the commentary role. It is up to the match caller to provide excitement in his voice when the play warrants it. The commentator is there to provide analysis. Have you ever heard Andrew Johns commentating on NRL games? He fits the description of "dour" in his voice tone, but his analysis is brilliant. That is why Channel 9 in Australia retains him. Raymond Warren provides the excitement in his call. Philip "Gus" Gould and Andrew Johns provide the cool, detached analysis. That is exactly the kind of role sharing that Sky needs.

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Sun Jun 10, 2018 9:29 pm  

Im guessing he was playing lickspittle to Catalan if he has Jeans/Kevs and others approval

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Mon Jun 11, 2018 5:20 am  

Bill Arthur was very poor.

I think it was Braydon Williame who slid six feet on his back to control a kick off with his body, get up, collect the ball and start the set. To which Arther said “what was that, that’s two he’s made a pigs ear of, I’m sure Williame’s a good player but he can’t deal with kick-offs can he?”

When in reality it was absolutely amazing skill and brilliant to watch.

Tony Rae pretty much told him to shut up as it was a piece of magic on the RL field.

What you get with Rae is good, insightful, tactical knowledge. He’s by far the best pundit on the panel they have. The BBC have a much better all round panel than Sky, mainly because they get coaches on as well as players to do punditry.

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Mon Jun 11, 2018 7:35 pm  

Psychedelic Casual wrote:

Bill Arthur was very poor.

I think it was Braydon Williame who slid six feet on his back to control a kick off with his body, get up, collect the ball and start the set. To which Arther said “what was that, that’s two he’s made a pigs ear of, I’m sure Williame’s a good player but he can’t deal with kick-offs can he?”

When in reality it was absolutely amazing skill and brilliant to watch.

Tony Rae pretty much told him to shut up as it was a piece of magic on the RL field.

What you get with Rae is good, insightful, tactical knowledge. He’s by far the best pundit on the panel they have. The BBC have a much better all round panel than Sky, mainly because they get coaches on as well as players to do punditry.

This, many times over.

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:14 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

There is nothing wrong with being dour in the commentary role. It is up to the match caller to provide excitement in his voice when the play warrants it. The commentator is there to provide analysis. Have you ever heard Andrew Johns commentating on NRL games? He fits the description of "dour" in his voice tone, but his analysis is brilliant. That is why Channel 9 in Australia retains him. Ray Warren provides the excitement in his call. Philip "Gus" Gould and Andrew Johns provide the cool, detached analysis. That is exactly the kind of role sharing that Sky needs.

Raymond

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Wed Jun 13, 2018 4:35 pm  

Psychedelic Casual wrote:

Bill Arthur was very poor.

I think it was Braydon Williame who slid six feet on his back to control a kick off with his body, get up, collect the ball and start the set. To which Arther said “what was that, that’s two he’s made a pigs ear of, I’m sure Williame’s a good player but he can’t deal with kick-offs can he?”

When in reality it was absolutely amazing skill and brilliant to watch.

Tony Rae pretty much told him to shut up as it was a piece of magic on the RL field.

What you get with Rae is good, insightful, tactical knowledge. He’s by far the best pundit on the panel they have. The BBC have a much better all round panel than Sky, mainly because they get coaches on as well as players to do punditry.

I agree with your analysis. But you have misspelled the name of Anthony Rea (aka "Tony Ray").

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Thu Jun 14, 2018 12:16 am  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

I agree with your analysis. But you have misspelled the name of Anthony Rea (aka "Tony Ray").

Keep an eye on them Jean...good work! And for what its worth I think your comments on having the 'dour' commentator are dead on: couldn't agree more.

Re: The answer to Sky's commentary problems: Anthony Rea : Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:31 pm  

JEAN CAPDOUZE wrote:

I agree with your analysis. But you have misspelled the name of Anthony Rea (aka "Tony Ray").

You’ve misspelt “misspelt”