Sky Sports love a bit of hype.
And there’s nothing wrong with that, considering the amount they’ve probably paid for the broadcast rights for the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.
Thanks to steely nerves from Owen Farrell late on in the Second Test, the series was tied at 1-1 due in no small part to the red card picked up by Sonny Bill Williams midway through the first half on Saturday morning.
A victory next week in Eden Park will deliver the Lions’ first tour victory over New Zealand since 1971, which is a big deal.
WHAT.
A.
GAME!!!!https://t.co/gPmVgLmUWJ— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 1, 2017
Nobody is doubting that a 2-1 series win for Warren Gatland’s men would be a huge feat but one comment from Sky Sports’ pitchside reporter seemed a bit excessive to cynical viewers.
“Immortality beckons,” Graeme Simmons told Sean O’Brien after the game.
The Irishman wasn’t half as excited as the man interviewing him, as he calmly responded to the heavy claim, brushing it off with: “Sure that’s what we’re here for.”
Claiming that immortality, which is defined as eternal life/the ability to live forever, will greet a group of rugby players if they score more points over 80 minutes than the other 15 men on the pitch does seem a bit much, doesn’t it?
Some couldn’t help but laugh at the dramatic suggestion.
"Immortality beckons"!! Sky in complete hype overload already!!! 😂😂
— Jacqui Hurley (@jacquihurley) July 1, 2017
Interviewer to SOB: "Immortality beckons. You know that, don't you. Immortality is beckoning."
Oh FFS
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) July 1, 2017
"Immortality beckons". Pass the sick bucket.
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) July 1, 2017
"Immortality beckons" 😂😂😂
— Joe Harrington (@ImJoeHarrington) July 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/nbrez/status/881084929056100352
@SkySports calm your commentators down. They are like 14 year olds. It's embarrassing. "Immortality beckons" #embarrassing#abvbils
— mungofrombeyond (@Mungofrombeyond) July 1, 2017
https://twitter.com/KennellyStephen/status/881087797599367168
'immortality beckons' fucks sake sky control yourselves! #NZLvBIL
— Pat Allen (@lochgarman1798) July 1, 2017