Fox fumes over Tah-rible decision
2 Feb 2006
Aussie TV channel, Fox Sports, have complained to the ARU about the Waratahs decision to wear the players initials and not numbers on the back of their jerseys.
“We weren’t consulted in any way shape or form, which itself is upsetting, and we’ve launched an official complaint to Sanzar via the ARU,” said Fox Sports’ executive producer of rugby, Matt McKeown. “We can understand what they’re trying to do, and we’re not trying to say no to any innovation, but this one would just be a nightmare.”
McKeown believes the concept would be confusing for fans and commentators and untenable for statisticians and officials. Fox Sports wants the concept limited to Saturday’s final trial fixture against the Crusaders, or an alternative plan such as players selecting their own numbers, as Australia’s one-day cricketers do.
Sanzar’s spokesman said it would hold an investigation into the NSW plan. “We are examining the consequences, however the issues here really relate to other stakeholders and what the implications of it are,” the spokesman said. “We believe there needs to be full consultation with broadcasters and other parties before any determination is made as to whether this should be a season-long practice.”
Crusaders coach Robbie Deans told the Sydney Morning Herald: “I don’t imagine that Sanzar would be that excited about it. There might be a loophole in year one but there won’t be in year two. From the public’s perspective I would have thought it’s advantangeous to have a uniform identification system.”
12 Comments
2 Feb 2006, 07:09 am
Publicity stunt.
How do they think a player’s number will be recorder for a yellow card. Can you imagine Steve Walsh (as TJ) talking to Scott Young (Ref) “Yeah Mate that Sheep was tackled by the Letter G from blue and given a good going over, I recommend a Yellow card for G and talk to the capitain M”
Has to be a publicity stunt
2 Feb 2006, 07:10 am
NSW are known to make stupid and strange decisions.
2 Feb 2006, 07:23 am
Thats because the Fox executives are dyslexic
2 Feb 2006, 08:28 am
Ghostshark, Foxsports have a point.
2 Feb 2006, 08:51 am
Indeed, it’s just plain silly. Probably Wendell’s idea because he can’t count.
2 Feb 2006, 09:05 am
I am suprised he hasn’t asked for Dell rather than WS
2 Feb 2006, 09:10 am
This wouldn’t work in SA, too many players have VD….
2 Feb 2006, 09:17 am
Ghostshark
Rather ambigious statement there…
Cheers
2 Feb 2006, 09:28 am
Players selecting the own numbers should never happen in rugby. Look at AFL the uninitiated have no idea on the position in which each player plays in, due to the random numbers.
2 Feb 2006, 10:18 am
lol Ghost shark!
They all have to get a prescription for *****-cillan
2 Feb 2006, 11:14 am
good point ghostshark. what happens when 2 players have the same initials?
this is almost as laughable as when the aussies asked the IRB if they could sing waltzing matilda before kickoff – their answer to the haka.
2 Feb 2006, 12:09 pm
Bad idea and scrap it before our rugger players are wearing colourful pajamas with number 75 and goodness knows what else on their jerseys, just another Aussie attempt to americanize our sport.
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