TV View: Ronan O'Gara and rest of Sky Sports pundits left underwhelmed by 'flat' Lions Test
Yes, the British broadcasting giants can go over the top. Some of their coverage verges on the hysterical at times. But, boy, can they get viewers excited and engaged ahead of a big match.
Yesterday's first Lions Test was no different. From the moment Wolfmother's adrenaline-pumping anthem 'Joker and the Thief' came pumping out during the opening credits, the stall was set out. Warren Gatland. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Warren Gatland lead a stellar cast of pundits pitchside at a heaving Suncorp Stadium.
'The greatest rugby supporters in the world are in full voice,' said Sky Sports presenter Alex Payne as he passed the torch over to Miles Harrison, Dan Biggar and Ronan O'Gara in the commentary box.
Anyone who has ever been to a Top14 or ProD2 game in France would challenge that viewpoint. Anyway, we digress. Ronan O'Gara. Pic: Sky Sports
There's something comforting about having Harrison on comms. The voice of so many great Lions moments as well as many heady Heineken Cup days, he was in fine form yesterday.
Biggar and O'Gara, meanwhile, have proven an inspired choice on co-commentary duties. The former Test fly-halves mixing insightful analysis with plenty of good humour. Dan Biggar. Pic: Sky Sports
Both were full of praise for Finn Russell during that dominant first quarter.
Game recognises game.
As for some of Andy Farrell's selection calls, Biggar backed the Lions boss. Finn Russell. Pic: Patrick Hamilton/AFP via Getty Images
'Beirne has big games in big games,' said the former Wales out-half after the Munster man snagged his second turnover penalty in the space of 18 minutes.
ROG was living every second of this Test match.
'No!' was O'Gara blunt assessment when he saw Jake Gordon shaping to dink a kick behind this suffocating Lions blitz defence. Hugo Keenan duly fielded the ensuing chip with ease. Australia's Nick Frost and Tadhg Beirne of the Lions compete for a lineout. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
But it soon became clear that this was not going to be a Test epic and you could hear O'Gara and Biggar beginning to wane.
'Australia just can't get any momentum,' was the view of Sam Warburton back in the Sky studio.
Gatland didn't see much hope for the hosts either during the half-time analysis.
'I'd be pretty happy. The dominance is starting to show in terms of gainline, carries. Australia are hanging in there. They need to score early in the second half. Otherwise this could be a bit of a blowout.' Dan Sheehan scores a try. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Cue Dan Sheehan crossing after about 90 seconds. Game over.
The energy seemed to drain out of Biggar and O'Gara after that. It was becoming obvious that this first game – and perhaps the entire Test series – is going to be one-way traffic.
Then Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii seemingly barged his way through Ben Earl and Bundee Aki, two of the second-half cavalry, to give the ailing Aussies a glimmer of hope on the hour mark. No try in the end. It was that kind of night for the hosts.
'Tadhg Beirne is made of concrete,' O'Gara noted as the Wallabies continued to run into a red wall of Lions defenders.
In the end, the hosts managed a few consolation scores, but this never really felt like a real contest.
'It just feels a bit flat doesn't it,' Biggar observed in the dying minutes of this encounter. Few would argue with the Welshman's assessment.
Even Sky Sports were struggling to hype up what was essentially a non event.
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