By SCOTT MacLEOD
Near-saturation coverage of the cup is not nearly enough for some rugby fans.
They want more, they want it now, they want it yesterday, they want it backdated, and even that might not be enough.
Callers to talkback radio shows are seething about TV One's coverage of the event,
despite the fact the channel is showing 42 of the games live and the remaining six delayed, in full, and free.
Discontent that began simmering 11 days ago reached boiling point on Sunday after the big clash between South Africa and England.
That game screened in the early hours and TV One did not replay it.
This caused umbrage among VCR-challenged members of the rugby-viewing fraternity.
And it capped a week of complaints about TV One's perceived failings in analysis, humour and presentation - despite the high ratings the channel is getting.
Newstalk ZB aired six angry calls on Sunday, mostly about the dearth of replays. Many more calls did not make it to air, according to host Murray Deaker.
"A number are saying Keith Quinn is past it and John McBeth's copped a few," he said of TV One's presenters. "I think people are finding that TVNZ's off the pace because they've been out of All Black rugby so long."
Radio Sport's Martin Devlin said there had been a lot of talk about TV One's lack of a good discussion or analysis show, the need for more replays, and a shortage of presenters such as Australia's irreverent HG and Roy.
"There's no fun to it and it lacks humour," Devlin said of the coverage. "It's been bland and uninspiring, and they're ignoring the colour of all the fans over there.
"We don't see any good features and they should at least have half-hour wrap-ups each night."
TVNZ spokeswoman Diana Schnauer said there was an afternoon show with highlights and comment. The live games had pre-match and half-time analysis, including comment by former All Blacks.
"We've had people saying there's too much rugby coverage, rather than too little," Schnauer said. "I'm scratching my head, to be honest."
