So long Phil and thanks for all the fish

[Torquemada 1420]

'Genuinely awful' - No fond farewell from rugby fans as Phil Kearns exits the commentary box, possibly for the last time

When a commentator leaves his commentary box – possibly for the final time – generally you’d expect a certain amount of reverence, decorum and good will expressed by fans towards said party. Not in Phil Kearns’ case.

[Enzedder]

Farewell Miseryguts - don't come back please.

I hope he can start laughing and being more positive

[Ellafan]

So much hate flowing from NZ and some Rugby Pass bloke in Dublin (Kiwi?)... Well, you better get your stadium signage right this time round, or you'll all be going puce with rage, when he announces you aren't getting your home group.

[Ata Rangi]

Sad news, Kearns has been the soundtrack to an unprecedented run of success and dominance in Bledisloe rugby. Won’t be the same without him.

RIP

[Jb1981]

For a whole generation of fans Kearns will be remembered as an annoying commentator rather than a good Wallaby. It is the risk of ex players taking up the microphone. Justin Marshall is the NZ equivalent.

[Ellafan]

For a whole generation of fans Kearns will be remembered as an annoying commentator rather than a good Wallaby. It is the risk of ex players taking up the microphone. Justin Marshall is the NZ equivalent.

You mean a whole generation of NZ fans? He seems to have really got under your collective skin, eh?

[FujiKiwi]

I've seen Aussie fans express their dislike for Kearns, in a very similar way that many kiwis can't stand Justin Marshall.

[Gumboot]

Good riddance to the miserable monotone one-eyed twat.

[Wignu]

Eggsellent, now how do we get rid of Marshall?

[Jb1981]

For a whole generation of fans Kearns will be remembered as an annoying commentator rather than a good Wallaby. It is the risk of ex players taking up the microphone. Justin Marshall is the NZ equivalent.

You mean a whole generation of NZ fans? He seems to have really got under your collective skin, eh?

I just enjoy good rugby and quality broadcasting.

I hope Phil Kearns finds happiness in his new career - he didn’t seem to get it from rugby.

[laurent]

From my limited exposure he was annoyingly one eyed and ignored the rule book.
Pretty much worse than French commentators in general.

Jean Abeilhou being the only one that is any good

[Kiwias]

Thank god we won't have to listen to his petulant, whining commentary any more.

[Big Nipper]

I like Justin Marshall as a commentator

Phil Kearns, not so much

[Guy Smiley]

An honorary admission to the NSW Bar would be perfect. He’d find himself surrounded by likeminded souls.

[Yeeb]

Can’t say I ever noticed him to be any more annoying or biased than any other Aussie or kiwi commentator tbf

[notfatcat]

Can’t say I ever noticed him to be any more annoying or biased than any other Aussie or kiwi tbf

[Mr Bungle]

I like Justin Marshall as a commentator

Phil Kearns, not so much

Kearns’ whinge ratio to actual knowledge of current rugby law is very poor. That’s always been his problem. A fine player and probably a good bloke to have a beer with.

[Torquemada 1420]

From my limited exposure he was annoyingly one eyed and ignored the rule book.
Pretty much worse than French commentators in general.

Jean Abeilhou being the only one that is any good

Pierre Albaladejo [retired]?

[JM2K6]

Kearns is a horror show of a commentator and I hope he cheers up in his enforced retirement (if that's what it is).

[laurent]

From my limited exposure he was annoyingly one eyed and ignored the rule book.
Pretty much worse than French commentators in general.

Jean Abeilhou being the only one that is any good

Pierre Albaladejo [retired]?

A good while ago.

Most enjoyable commentary is Abeilhou and Laura Di Muzio (French Fly half) (usual duo for ladies games).
Knowledgeable and the game is usually great quality

The Ladies doing pitch side job are good too Inès Hirigoyen/Cécile Grès are Fine

Most annoying is Mr Shit Pun Lartot. Laurent Bellet is OK

Benjamin Kayser has become rather annoying Yachvili is OK

[sockwithaticket]

Dreadful commentator who never let the laws get in the way of a good whinge. He and Marto as a combo actively put me off watching Wallaby matches.

[Hong Kong]

Dreadful commentator who never let the laws get in the way of a good whinge. He and Marto as a combo actively put me off watching Wallaby matches.

Pretty much this. His woeful lack of law knowledge was embarrassing along with context and game management. I hope he finds happiness in his next venture as he certainly did not appear to enjoy his rugby

[Not_Couch]

Does Phil Kearns even call games? All I hear are moans and whinges these days. He can't seem to take his eye patch off and call a game down the middle, and when he tries it sounds forced and contrived just to appease an international audience.

[Uncle fester]

Can’t say I ever noticed him to be any more annoying or biased than any other Aussie or kiwi commentator tbf

Now that's a back handed complement.

[Fangle]

Is he the very partisan commentator who is ‘famous’ for saying Go you good thing?

[Guy Smiley]

Is he the very partisan commentator who is ‘famous’ for saying Go you good thing?

That’s the guy, Fangle.

[Ata Rangi]

Is he the very partisan commentator who is ‘famous’ for saying Go you good thing?

That’s the guy, Fangle.

Acknowledging the question was conjunctive, wasn’t the “good thing” Chris Handy?

He did bring some interesting moments

Back in 2011, before Ireland beat Australia 15-6 at the World Cup, made a disparaging comment about Declan Kidney's side. "They're not going to have much to cheer about tonight," he said of the Irish fans, "so they might as well cheer them on in the warm-up."

Kearns, who captained Australia 10 times and made 67 Test appearances, continues to fire from the hip.

During a 47th minute break in play, he leaned back upon a couple of lazy 'Irish' stereotypes.

"'Fiddle-di-dee, Fiddle-di-dee, Fiddle-di-dee, potato'… [they're] out the back there having their own little chat."

Cue an awkward silence for a few seconds before Clarke continued with his match commentary.

The comments were latched onto by Irish viewers watching the game and there was a strong reaction on social media, with former Ulster and Ireland flanker Neil Best offering his thoughts and signing off with #AussieTwat.

[Uncle fester]

Oh yeah, remember that one. How we laughed.