Gregor Paul: NZ Herald rugby writer explains why post-match interviews with sports players need to go

Black Ferns captain Sarah Hirini raised a few eyebrows after she dropped the f-bomb on live TV - and it's prompted some debate.

After the team claimed the world championship title in Los Angeles, Hirini gave a post-match interview, which sparked some controversy. 

NZ Herald rugby writer Gregor Paul wrote an opinion piece critiquing the practice of post-match interviews - and he stands by it.

"I'm not a big fan of sports stars - or anyone really - swearing in public as part of an entertainment package, I think it's unnecessary."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
I'd together due to see Allen eighteen past five. Now
Black Ferns sevens captain Sarah hid and he has become
the latest sporting superstar to drop an F bomb live
on TV. Right, and don't worry parents, because we're going
to CeNSE of the actual word. But here's what she
said shortly after winning the sevens World Championship in la
earlier this week, after the Olympic Colemeto.

Speaker 2 (00:20):
We wanted to show that we were a great team
and to us that was bring it, winning the league
and winning the series.

Speaker 1 (00:26):
And we did it, and obviously I was excited about it.
Now The Heralds rugby writer Gregor Paul has some thoughts
on this has written a column for The Herald this morning.
Is with me.

Speaker 2 (00:34):
Now, Hey Gregor, good afternoon.

Speaker 1 (00:37):
Now tell me if I'm mischaracterizing what your argument is.
But basically, are you arguing that we need to stop
these breathless halftime and and on pitch interviews because otherwise
we're going to have too many of these F bombs?

Speaker 2 (00:51):
Yeah, you've characterized that perfectly. I don't know why I
bothered writing a thousand words. You just did it in
about eight. Thank you.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
Okay, well, because what you're being approved about the F bomb.

Speaker 2 (01:01):
Oh look, I'm not being a prude about it. I
think I'm not a big fan of sports stars or
anyone really swearing in public as part of an entertainment package.
I think it's unnecessary. I think we're trying to encourage
children to play. There's probably children watching. I think it's gratuitous.

(01:23):
You know, I know that these guys are tired, they're
emotional when they get microphones put under them. I know
they've invested a huge amount to get to where they've
got to, and I understand it's natural for them at
times to forget who they're talking to and they just
let all that stuff out. But they're also professional athletes,
and my concern is that it gets a little bit
glorified by the media. You know, it also reduces the

(01:46):
you know, the amazing performance of the black Phones over
two days to win that title kind of gets reduced
to headline. You know, Sarah Hereny swears and we get
that new that we audio clip that you played there,
and that's it. You know, we were actually.

Speaker 1 (02:01):
Stupid, I mean, Gregle, that's just stupid headline writing, because
do you I mean, I don't know about you. I
certainly do not look at that and go, oh, she swore,
let me click on that. Iron't care if she swore,
And I'm not going to watch it because of that,
are you?

Speaker 2 (02:12):
Well? No, But clearly there's an industry and clickbait play
need to be a little bit careful here because the industry,
you know, pays.

Speaker 1 (02:20):
Now, don't worry about it. You're allowed to criticize your
employer on the show.

Speaker 2 (02:23):
But yeah, but there's an industry around that, and the
point I made in the column be a little bit careful.
But the point I'm made in the column here is
that there's this whole sort of peripheral media storyline that
gets told now around the edges of big sport and
a player swearing or you know, someone streaking, or you know,
a wardrobe malfunction during the game. These these things have

(02:46):
all become sort of big business for media because you
can drive viral stories around them. But the swearing thing
is controllable, you know, and these guys are under contract,
and I would you know, I don't want to be
all parental or prude is the word that you use,
but I just think someone needs to remind them when
you've got a microphone in front of you. Our expectations

(03:07):
are you are not going to swear interesting?

Speaker 1 (03:10):
Okay, gregorle listen. Thank you for utting us through that.
I appreciate it. We'll discuss a little bit more on
the huddle. Let's greggle Paul, the Herald's rugby writer. For
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