General Sport

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

rob&mo — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:57:13 GMT

We could not have expressed our absolute disgust at Will Greenwood's comments - not commentary -any better than has already been said. It was an evening of complete rudeness and disregard for the game in play and despite attempts by his fellow commentator to keep him focused he carried on regardless. It was a perfect example of why so many non English supportes cannot bear to wish the England team any success. It is not the fault of the players or management but commentary like this.

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

leeroycal — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:55:33 GMT

HJow Will Greenwood are you? Ha ha!

http://www.bloodandmud.com/2007/10/how-will-greenw.html

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

champman — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:40:12 GMT

-thanks for the follow up responses - fair comment.

Also I got it wrong - Honiss is going to be one of the TJ's - with the French guy - Rolland (ireland) is the ref.

As regards how the final is going to go - England have been saving their backs for the final !!

Would you bet against England winning it?

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

sickasaparrot — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:37:58 GMT

For the first time in my 60 years I have been so sickened by a "commentary" that I have been compelled to go on line. Any likelihood of enjoying Sunday's game went right out the window with Will's very first words and his "professional" co-presenter did nothing to bring Will back to the fact that he was supposed to be commentating on Argentina v's South Africa. Any non rugby fans watching for the first time must have wondered which game they were watching. I trust that ITV will see their way to appointing an unbiased commentator for the final and that true rugby fans can enjoy it without being fed a continual diatribe of pro England crap.

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

i shout at the telly — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:27:42 GMT

FIrst point - as you didn't watch the match yesterday, you're perhaps not best placed to criticise the feedback from those of us who did.

Second point: I don't believe any particular criticism has been levelled at Greenwood's knowledge or experience. The issue lies in his inability to focus on the game actually being played, and commenting impartially, fairly and without resorting to puerile, slightly spiteful "humour".

There are lots of experts in this sport - there shouldn't be any need to employ an individual who clearly isn't up to the job.

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

joe1974 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:55:28 GMT

The above comments put you in the same class as Will Greenwood. There is no doubt that Will was a class player., you don't win a world cup, get over 50 caps and go on three lions tours without being top draw. You could make an argument he is England’s best ever centre.

However that class shown on the field does not always transfer to the public life and in this case the commentary box. As you didn't watch the game you don't have any grounds for comment on this particular performance. At best it was a disgrace, at worst it was he made hmself into a joke.

As for Mexted, he leans to the NZ side but he gives a clear view on the game, which he did straight after the NZ loss. And when is tries to be amusing he actually is. To share a beer with Mexted or Greenwood? Not a hard decision.

As for refereeing, you have exposed your misunderstanding of the game. In this World Cup all sides have pushed it at the breakdown and England is no exception. This was shown several times on Saturday by Regan who continually infringed at the tackel with no penalty and again late in the game with several professional fouls by your forwards and not a card in sight.

If SA play their natural game and spread it from time to time they will win. If they fall into the trap you set France (not Oz as your forwards were far too good) by dragging them into the 10 man war of attrition England could have it. As a fan I am hoping for a great match and to see if Greenwood shows the same class off the field as he did on it.

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

champman — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:18:58 GMT

I didn't watch the game yesterday - but I did see WG on Saturday after the England game - exuberant and delighted in the English win - a lighthearted piece.

Would all these guys criticing him just shut up- WG is a RWC winner - he knows more about the game and winning than you'll ever know. That's how he is - get over it.

I suppose you would prefer Murray "the blinkers" Mexted or Sean "sour loser" Fitzpatrick.

Let's hope that Honiss is tough with Boks on Saturday and it's job done

The Boks, like the AB's have a problem with the breakdown - for McCaw read Burger, etc and also with the obstructions (NZ vs France) and the neck tackle - They play on the edge of the Laws - like AB's - if the ref is soft, SA could win it - that would be a shame for the game.

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

jamesb777 — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:23:46 GMT

I listened to a sporting event in "mute" for the first time in my life last night. I gave Will Greenwood 10 minutes at the start of the first half, then 1 min 40 seconds at the start of the second: on both these occasions, his "commentary" had zeroed back on to England's success, England's forwards, Jonny Wilkinson, England's strengths. I just wish I had had another channel on which to view the game. I don't mind patriots: Stuart Barnes is a patriot but adds insight, intelligence and an overall understanding of the game on a global scale. To be honest, I didn't even mind Greenwood's "Mitterand/Platini.... speech" as at the time he was employed to be the buffoon on the touchline.

However, my interest in S Africa/Argentina was only in S Africa/Argentina and I expect the commentator/analyst to provide analysis and insight into the game I'm watching. Mr. Greenwood is, quite frankly, a disgrace and I really don't understand how itv could pay him for doing an analyst's job - certainly on the basis of what I heard.

It is this kind of attitude/reaction that forces an equal and opposite reaction - though hardly my favourite team, i will be willing a victory for the Bokke.

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

padjo — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:18:35 GMT

Last night's SA v ARG commentary was without doubt the worst I have ever heard. Was Will Greenwood actually at or watching the match? All he did all evening was tell us how wonderful England were the previous evening. This is not just biased commentating but constitutes blatant neglect and deep disinterest of the match at hand - which is just rude. For any intelligible commentary we had to wait for the excellent Martin Johnson or Francois Penaar.

Please, please, please DO NOT have Will Greenwood commentating next Saturday. Put him back on the touchline (and let's hope his mic stops working)

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

horriblegreenwood — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:03:36 GMT

ITV,

Please ensure that Greenwood is anywhere but Paris next weekend. Take advice from the master.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4227822.stm

When Richie Benaud booked himself on to a BBC training course for commentators in 1956, impartiality was drummed into him.

Speaking to me at The Oval, Benaud says: "They hammered the point home to never ever say 'we'. And I never forgot it and it stayed with me for all those years...to say 'we' sounded both stupid and parochial."

The other maxim the BBC taught him was not to say anything in his commentary unless it added something.

"My mantra is: put your brain in gear and if you can add to what's on the screen then do it, otherwise shut up."

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

commentator — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:48:08 GMT

ITV coverage of the rugby world cup until Argentina v South Africa has been excellent. Some of the most addictive sporting TV in years.

However, Will Greenwoods' commentary last night was the most irritating and unprofessional of any rugby telecast I have ever seen. It makes supporting England a tedious task.

PLEASE,PLEASE,PLEASE make next weeks final a pleasure to watch and relegate Greenwood either to the touchline or the stands.

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

the berwickshire lighthouse — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:17:36 GMT

ITV , there must be someone better than Greenwood to comment on a World Cup semi. It was without doubt the worst I have ever heard.Please,Please,Please do not have him near for the final he is worse than Scott Hastings!

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

kiwi_kid — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:09:15 GMT

Thanks for the Email address Unbelieveable - email duly sent. GIst of my email was:

"ITV get professional. As a Kiwi I’ll take the AB jokes on the chin but his commentary was insulting to South Africa and Argentina and they deserve an apology."

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

unbelievable — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 06:53:24 GMT

I have written to and emailed them with my complaint you can also phone

ITV plc Registered Office

200 Gray's Inn Road,
London WC1V 8HF

ITV Viewers enquiries

If you have any queries or comments about ITV shows then please email our Duty Office.

Alternatively you can contact:

Duty Office
Gas Street
Birmingham
B1 2JT

Tel: 0844 88 14150
Fax: 0844 88 14198

Monday to Friday: 8.00am to 11.00pm
Saturdays and Sundays: 10.00am to 10.00pm
Closed on Bank Holidays.

Re: ITV-ISSUE AN APOLOGY re SA V Arg

squared20 — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:55:25 GMT

Does anyone from ITV read this forum ?

Probably not, we will have to put up with the nob