Michael's Remote - Combine Boots & All and 'Down Under'
March 04, 2005 Edition 1
Michael Owen-Smith
It will only be a matter of time before every try scored in professional rugby is referred to the TMO (television match official) for confirmation. That will probably also apply to touchdowns that are refused by the man with the whistle.
By far the most significant feature of this past weekend's Super 12 first round and the Six Nations, was the debate around contentious tries that were either awarded or not.
Former England hooker Brian Moore had a lot to say about Jonathan Kaplan on Sky TV, although the latter is not renowned for his objectivity as far as England rugby is concerned.
The Cats would have been up in arms had Johan Roets scored a match-winning try from what was a clear forward pass and the Highlanders probably had the greatest reason of all to gripe.
Ali Williams took a leaf out of Shaun Povey's book with a superb bit of lineout obstruction, which on its own was enough to get a yellow card for a professional foul. He then got involved in a punch-up and was rewarded with the Blues scoring their opening try!
Meanwhile, Errol Stewart was a welcome addition to SuperSport's Super 12 commentary team.
He has already made his mark with cricket commentaries and he looks like being a true all-rounder. He commentates without frenzy or favour, although I suppose the real test will be when he gets a Sharks match.
SuperSport's rugby coverage will be further increased from this week with the outstanding Rugby Down Under on Thursday evenings and All Out Rugby on Sunday afternoons.
One hopes that Nick Mallett's appointment as director of WP rugby will not prevent him from continuing on the latter show because his analysis of the modern game is unmatched.
I know the time difference makes things difficult, but it would be wonderful if SuperSport could combine their own Boots & All and Rugby Down Under into one programme which could provide insight into the Super 12 and, later, the Tri-Nations from everybody's point of view.
Although they have lost the live rights, SABC 2 will be showing delayed coverage of the Australian Formula 1 grand prix (Sunday night, 11pm). The live race on SS2 is one for the early birds with a 4.30am start.
SuperSport have also expanded their live cycling coverage starting with the week-long Paris-Nice road race on Monday.
Live Sport
Cricket: 1st test, South Africa v Zimbabwe (today, SABC3/SS2, 10am).
Rugby: Super 12: Blues v Reds (today, SS1/M-Net, 8.30am), Brumbies v Bulls (today, SS1/M-Net, 10.30am), Highlanders v Stormers (tomorrow, SS1/M-Net, 6.30am), Crusaders v Chiefs (tomorrow, SS1/CSN, 8.30am), Sharks v Waratahs (tomorrow, SS1/M-Net, 6.15pm), Cats v Hurricans (tomorrow, SS2, 6.15pm, repeated on SS1/CSN, 8.15pm for those who want to watch both matches). Tsunami charity match: Northern hemisphere v Southern hemisphere (tomorrow, SS1/M-Net, 4.15pm).
Soccer: PSL: Rangers v Sundowns (tomorrow, SABC1, 3.30pm), Pirates v Dynamos (Sunday, SABC1, 3.30pm). Absa Cup: Rangers v Swallows (Wednesday, SS3, 7.00pm). Premier League: Villa v Middlesbrough (tomorrow, SS3, 2.30pm), Arsenal v Portsmouth (tomorrow, SS5, 5pm), Palace v Manchester United (tomorrow, SS3/CSN, 5pm), Newcastle v Liverpool (tomorrow, SS6, 5pm), Norwich v Chelsea (tomorrow, SS3, 7.15pm), West Bromwich v Birmingham (Sunday, SS3, 2pm), Everton v Blackburn (Sunday, SS3, 5.35pm), Manchester City v Bolton (Monday, SS3/CSN, 10pm). La Liga: Valencia v Real Madrid (tomorrow, SS5, 8.45pm, SS3, 9.30pm), Deportivo v Malaga (Sunday, SS3, 9.45pm). Portugal: Penafiel v Porto (tomorrow, SS7, 11.15pm). European League, knock-out phase: Milan v Manchester United (Tuesday, SS3, 9.30pm, e.tv, 10.15pm), Leverkusen v Liverpool (Wednesday, SS5, 9.30pm), Arsenal v Bayern (Wednesday, e.tv, SS3, 9.30pm).
Golf: European Tour: Dubai Desert Classic (today, SS5, 11.30am, SS1/CSN, 1pm, tomorrow, SS1/M-Net, 11am, Sunday, SS1 only), Qatar Masters (Thursday, SS1/CSN, 1pm). PGA Tour: Ford Championship (today, SS1/CSN, 10pm), Honda Classic (Thursday, SS1/CSN, 11pm).
Tennis: Davis Cup: SA v Germany (today, SS5, 3pm and 7pm, tomorrow, SS5, 11.45am, Sunday, SS5, 11.45am and 4pm).
Motorsport: Formula 1: Australian grand prix: 3rd practice (tomorrow, SS2, midnight), 4th practice (tomorrow, SS2, 1am), pre-qualifying (tomorrow, SS2, 4am), qualifying (Sunday, SS2, 1am), race proper (Sunday, SS2, 4.30am).
Boxing: SA mini-flyweight title: Nkosinathi Joyi v Mawanda Sineko (tomorrow, SS2, 8.15pm). WBC/IBF lightweight title: Jose Luis Castillo v Julio Diax and IBF supermiddleweight title: Jeff Lacy v Robin Williams (Sunday, SS1/CSN, 3am).
Cycling: Paris-Nice road race (Monday, SS6, 4pm, switches to SS5 from Tuesday).
