AURAL EQUIVALENCE

Most of us view sport through the prism of partisanship. I view cricket coverage through green & gold glasses, just like Kiwis view their coverage through all black glasses. Much like politics, it all depends which side you barrack for.

This morning on SEN Andrew Maher and Tim Watson were set to discuss yesterday's F50 from Napier when, by way of introduction, Andrew said Ian Smith is the most hopelessly biased commentator in the history of sport. They then introduced NZ commentator Brian Waddle who opened with a riposte that Ian Healy is every bit as bad as Smuthy.

Brian: Balls!!

Andrew Maher was understating his case: Smuthy is even more biased than the most hopelessly biased commentator in the history of sport.

When the Kiwis have a good match he cheers for "our boys", "us" and "wee", sorry, "we". When commentating a Kiwi loss he relentlessly moans about the dismal state of play. Pretty sure he once started sobbing. All in that grating voice. Nor am I referring to huz Kiwi ixent.

Healy may well be a biased Aussie commentator, but he is nowhere near as biased as Smuthy.

The only bloke who comes close is the Pom who commentates the international rugby league in the UK. I never seem to be able to find out what his name is, but if you watched last year's World Cup final you will know who I mean. He spent the whole match legendising every Pommy play, while playing down every Aussie play. Guess who won. At the end, upon being invited to congratulate Australia, he groaned words to the effect of "No. I'm bloody sick of it. I'm sick of Australia winning."

Comments

[Jonathan]

I was thinking he must have been really biased to find Pommy plays in the final, but then I realised you were talking about last year's 4 nations tournament, not the year before's WC.

[Tony T]

Is that right? I didn't know they had so many league tournaments.

[Tony T]

By the way: Glen, Jakovich.

[m0nty]

Brian would have been better off attacking Phanto, who is a lickspittle of the lowest order.

[Tony T]

Just retire, Bill.

[Big Ramifications]

ANAL EQUIVALENCE

[Tony T]

Butt head.

(What film/s?)

Bad spelling should have been baned.

[Throbber]

The Pommy commentator is Mike Stevenson ..... Steevo.
One of the most idiotic and bitter fools ever to walk the face of the earth. My cat can give a more intelligent analysis of a game than he can - and regularly does.
He played for Great Britain and was a legend in his own mind.
Came out to Australia to Play for Penrith (back in the 70's) and won precisely nothing at all.
He didn't have the skills to make it in the Aussie comp and is still a bitter and twisted little man to this day.
He hates Australia and Australians and wastes no opportunity to bag them.
Odd though that he still has a house in Sydney and spends the summer there every year.

[Lou]

Is he related to Roebuck then?

All though I don't think Spanky wants to go back to the UK. West country cricket lovers would be waiting at the airport to give him a kicking.

[Tony T]

Throbs,

Thanks for that. You've no idea how many times I've googled for the likes of "biased rugby league commentator england" and "english league commentator hates australia" and "clown".

Lou,

He definitely doesn't sound like Spanky. Not unless Spanky, when on sabbatical in the UK, hides out oop north.

PS: I notice Craig Kieswetter went to Spanky's old school, Millfield.

[Cam]

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1977-Scanlens---Mike-Stephenson-(Panthers)_W0QQitemZ120538057416QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20100304?IMSfp=TL100304189001r14740

[Throbber]

No worries Tony, as a UK resident originally from Sydney, I guess I can bring the occasional Rugby League insight to your august blog.
Surprised that googling "clown" didn't immediately return a link to Stevo as the number one hit. I know that there is some real competition out there, but come on, he has to be numero uno.

[Big Ramifications]

He comes up number one for "clownshoes" on Google.