Have you ever noticed how often Peter Ropati ends up saying the opposite of what he means? I imagine someone whose first language is not English would have some trouble with it.

Of course, a crueller man than I would suggest that it might be going too far to describe English as Mr Ropati's first language either ...

I don't even know anything about league or league commentators, so I can't really contribute to a discussion on top, but that post was hilarious (as to be expected).

Firstly i would like point out that i am an avid rugby league supporter and a huge fan of sky televisions coverage of the sport. Therefore to read pathetic and juvenille posts above by Stacy and Russell i was somewhat disheartened.

Stacey - i am by no means discouraging anyone from expressing an opinion... however i find yours with little substance and no more than a collection of snide and meaningless remarks. Clearly if you were a true fan of the game im sure you could find more valid points to discuss and better ways to waste your time than 'pick' on people. Peter and Stephen have outlived many supporters so it seems, sticking by the NZ warriors since the team first came about.

I hope i speak on behalf of most legue supporters when i say that I watch sky tvs commentators with enjoyment as it is their passion for the game that makes them a credible source for pre-match and post-match discussion. Unlike you, i am not picking at their every literary mistake, for that would be a ridiculous waste of time. To log on the internet and post their every literary imperfection is even more tragic.

It seems you have many bones to pick Stacey, although perhaps they are more suited to a bitching session at your local cafe with girlfriends than on a website that promotes at least half decent debate.

Excuse me for getting nasty, but it is merely a reflection of your childish "venting" above.

As the kind person that i am i thought of a few suggestions to help ease your anger and frustration towards sky tv's league coverage...

a. dont watch it
b. buy a television remote and change the channel
c. fly to australia and watch as much channell 9 as you like.
d. maybe you should cover the league on sky tv!!! because, lets face it, your language is impeccable!
e. join your pulp sport buddies (possibly the most "literally unitelligble" show ive ever seen) and mock the shit out of stephen like you think is deserved.
d. have a bitch to someone who cares

also, just a small reminder that peter does infact stay far from an oval.. because that is what Aussie Rules is played on.. i think you mean a field??! And regarding the hallensteins comment... peter is not dressed by hallensteins...

For Robyn to point out that she doesnt "even know anything about league or league commentators" and yet still find your post "hillarious" just goes to show that your post is so irrelevant to the sport and the subject matter of the commentary - it is nothing more than childish bitch.

Lastly, Stacey, bear in mind that peter, stephen and co are paid to "regugitate" what you call "meaningless crap", and you, my friend are NOT.

Russell - to say that someone says what they dont mean is ridiculous!! who are you to know what someone means? and how crude and unsubstantiated to suggest that Mr Ropati's first language is not English... in trying not to stoop as low as you i cant help but ask if your first language is 'DUMB'?!

Kate M's reply was almost as entertaining as Stacey's original comments. Her fervent response reminded me of the furious teens writing to the letters page of RTR Countdown magazine, circa 1987, incensed that their favourite pop star had been criticised.

But I should probably shut up and not say anything because what right do I have to comment on the words that someone is saying about the other things that someone else is saying because if you say something about someone, then you shouldn't because you might hurt them by what you are saying and that would be a really mean thing to do.... [__That's enough - Ed.__]

Kate M for McIvor?

(Just asking...)

Sorry Kate, but Skys league commentators are amateur at best.
I'm sure Costigan has a book of cliches from which to quote from.
Peter or Pete Ropati has the cringe meter on overdrive.
I enjoy watching the Warriors, but, I admit that I really enjoy the TV coverage when they are playing in Aus.
At least the Aus callers try to educate thier audience, unlike Skys lot who sound like a band of groupies who have somehow sneaked into the commentary box.

As an avid league supporter and regular TV Guide letters to the editor writer I too am disheartened my dear Kate. But I'd rather my colourful and inane comments than the vitriolic bile you've spewed forth. Have a DB Bitter and chill my dear.

Now personal comments aside, I think you need to re-read my post. I do have issues with MacGyver and Ropati, but it is as a real league fan I have issues with them because of the lack of any real information or true commentary they provide. What they look like, you're right is totally irrelevant.

As to what they say, cringeworthy is putting it mildly. I posted it as a bit of an attempt to start discussion on this because as yet I have not found a single league supporter that disagrees significantly with any of this.

a. dont watch it
Yeh thanks for that.

b. buy a television remote and change the channel
I like watching things live

c. fly to australia and watch as much channell 9 as you like.
Piss off.

d. maybe you should cover the league on sky tv!!! because, lets face it, your language is impeccable!
I could hardly do worse even if I did it jamaican drinking game style.

e. join your pulp sport buddies (possibly the most "literally unitelligble" show ive ever seen) and mock the shit out of stephen like you think is deserve
I think he gets enough. last time I went to the Wellington Sevens parade most people were throwing tickertape at him. Rolled up...

d. have a bitch to someone who cares
Obviously not you Mrs Macgyver now please get on back to rearranging his facial products, I'm guessing theres a few.

Anyway back to it. I go on to state that their co commentators are actually not that bad and how I even rate Halligan (Tea Ropati too). Halligan himself would by far and away have the worst language and grammar skills of the lot but still conveys useful and insightful info. But that's also completely irrelevant because it's league not a debate. Get me info on the game, how it's being played and why, I don't care what terms you use just tell me something useful and entertaining. Speak in pidgin, draw me a fkin diagram, all good senor. Tune in to Radio Sport or Maori TV if you want to listen to some quality contrast, the main reason I prefer Channel 9 is again because it's LIVE and because Mac and Ropati are arse.

Yes I don't list many examples other than the glaring one at the end (which would be enough for most people) but that's because after every damn game there would be a page of them. Invite me round to your Sky Corporate box next season and I'll point them out for you. Failing the offer of hospitality I'll post a few after the first match this season. Seriously if it's examples you want you're on a hiding to nothing. (Man I'm getting good at using these cliches, perhaps you're right I SHOULD be a commentator...)

Go into your average Cossie Club, RSA or public bar across Auckland (or anywhere in NZ for that matter) and ask them their opinion. Seriously whats your real objection Kate?

Please note.. the ball is O V A L ......

Aaaarrrgggghhh!! They are back. I was so looking forward to seeing the Warriors again.
Then last night I swicthed on the TV, had a quick flick through the sports channels. Spotted some league on, great I think, until it cuts back to the studio and there they were Steve & Pete.
I had forgotten how bad they actually are. The new studio, new ties, same old mince from Pinky & Perky:-(

GO THE WARRIORS

You can't have seen the game then my friend.

Sure there was Lion Red Gameday with Bert and Ernie talking bollocks as per usual. BUT when it came kickoff time all I could hear was Costo and Halligan. What?? no Ropo and MacGyver I thought ???

After several bizarre comments from Halligan about Ropo being "down in the rye" it became gloriously clear that he's gooooooooooone. Peter Ropati, relegated to the sideline commentary (MacGyvers old role). And MacGyver himself even further down the chain bringing the halftime report from the assistant coaches. hahahahah brilliant!!

It was a bit weird at first, Costo doing his usual but almost all him and eerily quiet otherwise. But within 15 minutes Halligan had upped his talk rate and was throwin out gems of info 100 mile an hour. The guy is a munt but I have to give it to him, he knows his shyte. The play where the new fullback scored his first big break off a logan swann start ended up having a try scored off it by someone I can;t remember (yeh awesome memory eh). However while the cameras focused on that Halligan was pointing out to everyone that the break by the fullback was key and that the first person both Wiki and Price congratulated and patted on the back after the try wasn;t the try scorer but the new fullback. A nice touch all round..

I give it a 7/10. It could possibly do with some new blood in the 3rd commentary spot (if sky can spare the cash) but is sooo much less painful than last season.

Any more positive events occurring in the world and I may join the seminary.

You're quite right, Stacey, I never saw the game. Paddys day and all that.
I'm pleased to read your review of the game and look forward to this weeks effort.
Wouldn't hurt to look to Maori TV for the third commentator spot, as long as it goes to someone who can inform us, the veiwing public, then that would be a step in the right direction.

This is dead and buried but I can;t help myself I have to add a highlight from Sundays halftime "analysis" by Ropati and Mac. Their finishing statement after 10 mins of dribble:

"Strength is the key here, they've got to go out and play some football".

Thanks lads I thought it was 13 men in a very involved session of cooking pikelets.

-S

It's like Sky thinks only dummies watch league, and that anything other than dumbed down cliche ridden pre/post match comments would alienate the fan base.

How wrong they are.

As I am paying Sky to watch the Warriors the least they can do is find presenters who can provide insight. How hard can it be?

I hope Peter's brother Iva isn't illiterate.

He's the principal at Penrose High School

Last weeks golden moment was when the feed from Aus cut out and we cut straight back to Peter and Steve in the studio.

Two minutes of totally unscripted, unprepared for, impromptu discussion about league. I've never seen two minutes of more unnerving television. Crikey, they looked like they'd been caught interfering with a sheep.

I can only hope that Daryl Halligan has lost his voice or is currently on trial with name supression Lion Man style because if neither is true then some toolbag at Sky has brought Peter Ropati back off the sideline to the main commentary team.

I mean who could ask for more than "the warriors have to do what they least expect" and "when they roll not many come with them.." um .... wtf ?

Muppet muppet muppet...