Voices of World Cup to include former stars

Celebrity agent Andy Haden says his client Justin Marshall, a former All Black, will work for Sky during the 2011 World Cup. Photo / Brett Phibbs

New Zealand's most-capped halfback, Justin Marshall, has a contract to commentate the 2011 World Cup, his agent says.

And much-loved rugby broadcaster Keith Quinn says he, too, is keen to get back behind the microphone, kicking away talk he will be "too old" at 65 years.

He could be joined by his old offsider, John McBeth, as four TV channels race to hire anyone who knows a ruck from a maul, and who knows which end of a microphone is which.

Former All Black Marshall, who plays for Saracens in Britain, will work for Sky in 2011, according to his agent Andy Haden.

Sky would not comment on the contract, but Haden said it was likely that a few old names could come out of the woodwork.

"Someone like Sean Fitzpatrick could come over [from London] to help, but that hasn't happened yet," he said. "We could see all sorts of people coming back."

Quinn, 63, who previously worked for TVNZ alongside experienced commentators McBeth and Geoff Bryan, has more recently been working the rugby sevens circuit.

His career has spanned nearly 40 years and, more recently, repeated epileptic seizures but he said his age had nothing to do with his broadcasting abilities.

"I've been to all the other World Cups and I would very much like to be involved in this one in some way, shape or form," he said.

"I've heard talk on the radio that I'm too old to do it, but I'm sustained by the fact that I will always be younger than the All Black coach."

Many of the All Blacks' World Cup games could be screened simultaneously on up to four channels - Sky Television, TVNZ, TV3 and Maori Television - after Cabinet agreed to a joint bid for free-to-air rights. It still depends on whether the International Rugby Board agrees to accept the bid, which could be rejected as anti-competitive.

Maori Television led the bid and, if it is accepted, would be the only broadcaster to show all the main All Black games live and free-to-air.

Maori Television is reportedly keen to headhunt Quinn, but the channel refused to discuss any potential talent this week.

Quinn said: "As a freelancer I'm available to work for whomever, but as yet I haven't been approached by anyone.I've worked for both TVNZ and Sky in the past and I don't really have a preference. I'd consider anyone."

Quinn's former colleague, John McBeth, said he had not yet been contacted by any broadcaster but would "certainly" be keen to jump on board.

"I've been gargling ever since the news came out about it so of course I'd like to have that broadcasting role," he said. "I would certainly put my hand up.

"I've had my involvement with TVNZ in the past but I don't have a preference at all for which broadcaster. If what is proposed isn't accepted then we might only be seeing it on one channel anyway, which would answer the question."

Former All Blacks-turned-commentators team Grant Fox and Alan Whetton are also lead contenders.

Sporting manager Craig Innes said it was always good to get people back who had done the job before, and New Zealand had a huge pool of talent to choose from.

Maori Television communications boss Sonya Haggie said there has been "a number of names discussed".

Representatives of the other channels said commentary teams would be decided and announced in due course, once details had been finalised.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY