Five commentators Kiwis love to hate

Mark Waugh. Photo / Getty Images.

Former Waratahs hooker Phil Kearns was the latest commentator to earn the ire of Kiwi sports fans, unable to hide his bias as his former team went down to the Highlanders in Saturday night's Super Rugby semifinal.

Kearns railed against referee Craig Joubert, accusing the South African of having "a shocking game - there's no doubt about it". Actually, there was, and even co-commentator Rod Kafer said the referee had been fine.

In the spirit of Kearns' cheer-leading, we look at five other commentators who have at various points been caught offside with Kiwi supporters.

Mark Waugh - Cricket

New Zealand's thrilling one-wicket victory over Australia in pool play at this year's Cricket World Cup was made all the more sweet by the presence of Waugh in the commentary box. As David Warner helped Australia make a fast start at Eden Park, Waugh, a sitting Australian selector, was crowing about the players he helped to pick. But when Trent Boult ripped through the visitors' middle order, Waugh's silence was deafening.

Phil Gould - Rugby league

The former Panthers and NSW coach usually has the hype-machine turned up to 11 during State of Origin. Every try is an 'Origin try'. Every hit is an 'Origin hit'. Everything from the Aussie national anthem to the tee boy running off the field is an 'Origin moment'. The odd occasion Gould does call a Warriors game, he actually has positive things to say, but it's usually lost in the countless mentions of how great a game rugby league is.

Tommy Smyth - Football

Tommy Smyth with a Y, as he repeatedly reminded viewers, long marred the beautiful game for Kiwi football fans. Working for ESPN International, Smyth's Irish brogue and outlandish opinions were regularly the soundtrack for Champions League matches aired on these shores. His presence left fans almost dreading goals being scored as Smyth, breathlessly, would inevitably end his accounts with, '...and bang into the back of the old onion bag'.

Ian Healy - Cricket

While an argument could be made for the inclusion of every member of Channel 9's loathsome cricketing commentary team, Healy gets the nod. With all the charm of a snake oil salesman, Healy's nasally Aussie twang could ruin even the most glorious of cover drives. If his obvious bias wasn't bad enough, the former wicketkeeper was once caught on camera feigning playing a tiny violin while Andrew Symons discussed raising money for breast cancer research.

Eddie Hemmings and Mike Stephenson - Rugby league

British duo Eddie and Stevo call the Super League games in the UK and usually annoy New Zealand fans when the Kiwis are visiting. Every four-pointer is met with a 'T-R-Y time' call from Stevo while it's fair to say they're not the best at pronouncing Polynesian names.

Which commentators do you love to hate? Leave your comments below.