Barrie does come out with some cracking quotes and with Mick Morgan it would be brilliant.

After watching the doco about Eddie Waring the other night I can see a lot of similarities between Eddie's and Stevo's career. When he started out Stevo was very good at the time, but the game moved on, fashions changed and he lost touch. Eventually, in trying to stay true to what he was, what he knows and what he thinks the audience want he's become a bit of a parody of himself. This has alienated most RL fans who watch Sky, its clear he's lost touch and really infuriates more than anything.

There are lots of things about his commentary I dislike. If a big play is being set up in front of the try line he'll try to read it and say "Watch out for so-and-so". He'll read the play completely wrong. His point-match analysis irks me. I can't stand that really quiet, sage-like tone he uses as though he's some sort of stoical, omniscient elder stateman of the sport despite either talking at length about really basic issues or not really having a clue.

I don't mind Eddie too much; he's got a good clear voice that develops urgency and intensity and he's good at the straight talking, tackle by tackle name-drop style, but he is a bit repetitive. He doesn't vary his phrases (think "Wide to West"icon_wink.gif.

My favourite pairing is Dave Woods and John Kear. Woods does the straight talking bit and Kear combines both the in-deth, modern analysis and extremely passionate bluster. Its a joy to listen to Kear in full, gushing flow and you get the sense that Woods gets swept up in it as well.

Get rid of O'Connor!

I would look at it from two angles - does SKY provide good service to RL fans and would it attract new fans from occasional watchers... with this in mind, my take on the team

In
Eddie Hemmings - he may not have a lot of depth to his knowledge but he is a decent enough commentator
Phil Clarke - for those new to the game, he is articulate and good looking (can't harm) and would provide some insight for new viewers
Barry Mac - cheeky Northern humour but with some pearls of wisdom
Dave Woods - good enthusiastic commentator

Out
Stevo - he just doesn't make any sense, I had to go back three or four times the other day on SKY+ just to work out what one sentence was supposed to be never mind the point he was trying to make
O'Connor - getting better but a bit monotonous
Offiah - read Stevo but with a posh accent

More of
Kear and Wells

Eddie and Stevo's time has come, Sky need new blood.The way I see it, is that Eddie and Stevo try to manufacture controversy in their commentary when there is not any at all (too much like WWE or whatever its called these days).Phil Clarke has also got to go , any credibility he had went long ago, he is just a statistics regurgetator.Brian Carney,and Jon Wells are far more articulate thoughtful and younger(me thinks no Hedron/Headon collider from them.Cringe worthy).
The Question begs where are we going to find an English version of Ray Warren to replace them with?

Although I can see the similarities.

If you don't like it, turn chuffing volume down!

Turn off the refs mic

On a thursday night get rid of Bill Arthur.
Clueless doesn't even come close.

Stop showing replays of every kick, knock-on, forward pass, penalty, etc etc

My only complaint about the sky coverage is that they will not seperate the studio from the commentary box. Eddie presents & commentates and basically at half and full time we hear opinions from pundits we've already heard from during the commentary. Don't get why they shoehorn up to four pundits into the commentary box when they can have 2 commentating and 2 in the studio at half time. Every other sport is like that. Rugby League should be as well. Other than that I think Sky have provided an excellent service which will see its 20th year next season.

Best bit of RL commentary in history, IMO. We even named the try after it, it's as memorable as "They think it's all over".

If Eddie could cut out the daft giggling when Stevo cracks a funny or makes a daft comment, he's not a bad one to have the mic.

There's not a lot to change - compare it to the shambles that is BBC coverage, and we're doing very well indeed.

If anything, they need to avoid actively looking for controversy. Whereas the NRL coverage comment on an apparent reffing mistake and move on, the Sky team will still be talking about a dubious decision in the 2nd minute as the crowd are counting down to full time.

The game is exciting enough, there's no need for the faux soap opera drama.

Exactly. After my first full regular season of wall to wall league over here, I have to say that is the main difference.
By all means have Eddie in the commentary box, but when it comes to pre-match, half time and full time presenting, get Wells as the anchorman, together with a guest (kear is good) and Stevo for the occasional rant.
Wiggy is a good commentator.......stevo has passion and comical value, but if the sport wants to be taken seriously then it needs to change the way it is seen on TV.
Wonder how much the BBC pay Balding?

disagree 100%, bill does a great job, i even like rod studd when he is given a gig, but i have to say, i'm not a fan of ben proe