Ahead of the first match-day of SBS’ World Cup coverage in Australia, Neal Symons had the opportunity to chat to presenter Richard Bayliss in a Q&A.
NS: You’ve hosted the Premier League, you’ve hosted the Euros, you’ve hosted the A-League. To host a World Cup on SBS is awesome, the home of football for many Australians.
RB: I’ve been lucky enough to work on a couple of World Cups previously, Brazil in 2014, and Russia in 2018, and was able to host a show from Red Square four years ago, which was an unbelievable experience. But this is my first time hosting the live matches. And it’s pretty surreal to be honest. It’s a huge honour. When SBS asked me if I’d like to be involved, it was a no brainer, given not only the scale of the tournament, and the importance of the World Cup, but also just what SBS has given to us as a football community over the years.
I grew up like many people watching SBS all Sunday, and then going out into the backyard and playing football inspired by what they would bring us as kids. For me to be a part of it now it’s huge and something I definitely don’t take for granted.
NS: From your perspective taking in the lessons that you had, from your previous role, the likes of Optus Sport and whatnot, what can we expect from this World Cup on SBS?
RB: I think it’s getting that flavour from on the ground of what World Cups are all about, will probably help me going into this one. Having been in Brazil and Russia and getting a sense of what it means for not only the local people, but also those visiting and the countries involved, as well as the feel for tournament narratives will help. Also knowing the scale of the tournament production itself, what goes into it from a storytelling and coverage perspective is helpful. And knowing that SBS has a long history with the World Cup as well, going back to 1990.
I’m in good hands, and hopefully I can bring something to the table for SBS as well. Having that previous experience is huge.
NS: For yourself, and obviously Niav [Owens], what does it mean for you to essentially carry the mantle of Les Murray and Johnny Warren for the legacy to be maintained?
RB: You’re carrying the legacy of such huge, influential people within football and broadcasting is something I know myself and Niav don’t take lightly.
We’re extremely proud to be able to carry on the legacy of Johnny Warren and Les Murray amongst others. It’s really important that we pick up where they left off. Given we’ve all been influenced by what they did at SBS it’s pretty surreal to actually walk in and then be a part of it and think, “well, how did this happen?”
So it’s important that you don’t take that for granted, you don’t take it lightly, and you actually do your best to maintain that incredible legacy.
I reckon half of my Sundays were spent watching the world game. It was how you absorbed football from around the world. Where I grew up in Quirindi in country New South Wales, it was the only way of learning about the game that I loved. If it wasn’t for SBS, who knows what path I would have taken. I know that many people around the country are exactly the same.
NS: Just in terms of the Australian chances for the World Cup, much has been made about the squad selection and things of that ilk. From a personal perspective, how do you see Australia performing at this iteration of the tournament?
RB: I think it’s potentially the biggest challenge Australia has faced at a World Cup, certainly within this run of five straight appearances. I think we always like being the underdog, but let’s be honest, we’d prefer to go into a group stage full of confidence that we will get through the group and that we’re the hunted rather than the hunters. But once again we’ll be seen as outsiders within this group, given the strength obviously of France, Denmark and Tunisia as the relative unknowns.
I think that potentially helps Graham Arnold’s team, the backs to the wall approach that he likes to take. You just hope that teams the size of France and Denmark actually underestimate what we’re all about and we can drag a couple of results on the day, which people don’t see coming. But it’s a huge challenge, given the form of Denmark primarily, and France will be the team that everybody looks at as the world champions, with incredible quality in that first game.
I think the form that Denmark’s had over the past 12 months is remarkable, they’re arguably the strongest European team just purely in terms of preparation, coming into the tournament, yet, we know France could win the entire thing as well. So as a challenge it doesn’t get much bigger than this. But it means that if we get a result on the day, it will mean so much more.
NS: What can we expect from the daily broadcasts from the people who are based abroad and from Craig Foster, Harry Kewell, etc. You’ve got a plethora of talent to deal with, how can we how can they be utilised?
RB: I think what the viewers will see is coverage that provides something for everybody. It will be informed and enjoyable. We’ve seen The Daily Show being announced this week, and that will provide a fresh new look at the tournament, tits history from some really talented young creators coming onto the scene.
When the actual match coverage starts itself, you’ll see that incredible knowledge base of people like Craig Foster, Mark Bosnich and Sarah Walsh, as well as some exciting but let’s say new talent in people like Harry Kewell, who’s on as a commentator, which is huge as well. I think the key is for us to make sure that whether people are tuning in at 9pm at night or 5 or 6am in the morning, they’re catered for in a way that reflects their experiences.
NS: It’s obviously been a very changing environment for football rights and the dispersed nature of these rights. How can SBS consolidate viewership for this one-off tournament?
RB: I think that everybody coming to the one place is great. Bringing all those different football communities together, uniting them for the biggest tournament of all, not just in football, but in sport, generally, is extremely powerful and that’s what SBS will do during this World Cup.
Everybody can tune in together, be it on their devices on the traditional linear broadcast with their friends and family. Or by themselves while trying not to wake others in the middle of the night! The power of the World Cup viewing experience is something for everyone.
SBS’ coverage of the FIFA World Cup begins tomorrow as Qatar take on Ecuador in Matchday One. All matches live and free on SBS and SBS on demand.
