Originally Posted by The Difference:
“As for Jonathan Davies, I enjoyed his co-commentary at the weekend and personally don't get the criticism he receives. I like my co-commentators to be passionate and forthright in their opinions and for me both Davies and Brian Moore are very good in this role, in contrast to Andy Nicol who I find dull and Phillip Matthews who irritates me. Both Brian and Jonathan have a strong rapport with Eddie Butler and it was great to hear him handling all four Wales games this autumn, with Andrew Cotter nowhere near the Millennium Stadium! I hope for more of the same in the Six Nations, at least outside of the Scotland game.
For those of you who don't like Jonathan Davies - who would you prefer in the commentary box to him? Martyn Williams? Shane Williams? Robert Jones? Gareth Llewellyn? Stuart Davies? Tom Shanklin? Sean Holley? Or just stuff it full of English, Scottish and Irish voices and not bother with a Welsh expert?”
Martyn Williams is decent enough. Davies I can cope with in the studio, or at worst on co-comm on neutral game/ other home nation v FRA/ITA. If just two man set up Butler and Davies is too Welsh heavy. I'm not saying Butler is biased but It is two 'Welsh' voices. When it's Wales v Scotland It's Cotter and Davies - one of each accents.
Davies was not commentating he was cheerleading half the time. Brits kept going "I know I'm South African but this is ________" or "I'm being a little biased here but..."
To be honest - I was through with Davies after him shouting in the background when Shane Williams scored in dying seconds v Scotland in 2010. That carry on is fine if he was on Scrum V, but it was a UK-wide broadcast. He lost the plot. My favourite co-comm/pundit is Scott Quinnell. Absolute legend!!! I love his passion. Lions wise and also domestic/European games. He is passionate, but 100% respectful and on a Wales national or club persective isn't 1% biased. That is how it's done.
Moores rants are awful. Blinkered on England too and in a different direction if Davies is pro-biased Moore is negative-biased criticising things/moaning but it's most of the time all on England. However ironically grew to enjoy him in the calmer manner of his various Talksport shifts. Although Guscott is worse English-blinkered wise and is so out of touch with anything outside of English rugby. I agree on Matthews, I wasn't too bothered on him but over past 12-18 mths he is pretty blinkered on Ireland or as a 'neutral' in these Autumn tests he is dull.
Andy Nicol or Chris Paterson aren't full on, but certinaly I find engaging! - just as someone like Nicol is more measured doesn't mean he isn't passionate. In fact his optimism is a great thing!
BBC main comms: Cotter is outstanding for me. Butler/Cotter great leading comms. #3 is a problem area. Weak since Mullins went. Even weaker now with Ekykn going. ABB and McNamara are awful. Will need to send my CV in!
Co-comms i'd have: Andy Nicol or Chris Paterson, Martyn Williams or Shane Williams, Andy Robinson or Lewis Moody, and an Irish co-comm. Maybe BOD, with BBC having tie in's with BT. I like Tyrone Howe too, and he is used far less now by Sky, they prefering Frankie Sheehan.
I don't like the 3 man comms either. Unless maybe the odd 'big' game then it shouldn't be used. I hate how UK has taken the Aussie type way of craming 3 people in the box, a reporter/analysis etc chipping in too. Sky has started doing this past year and it's lessened the quality. I still watch the games but it's not for me.
On a side note - relatively good new pundit is Rory Lawson on Sky's Pro 12 coverage - rate him a lot.
I know you won't be agreeing with me on most part, and mentioned a lot of the above before as a 'voice for Scotland' on the likes of Moore and Davies!
