It's a grey area and commentators tread an awkward line - the basic rule, I think, is that emotion should not unduly taint the technical analysis. Kearns has always struggled with that when the Waratahs and Wallabies are playing - in this case his analysis sounded like an outburst.
I've said this before, but Justin Marshall's presence helped bring a much-needed shift in a good direction in our commentary boxes - I know some Crusaders fans who think Marshall goes too far and is unfairly tough on his old team. It's not an accusation that will ever be slung at Kearns, who got a sort of ticking off from the analytical Rod Kafer, who as a player was credited as a key strategist with the superbly organised Brumbies.
Kafer finds something interesting in any situation, but from what we heard over the weekend, it might be best if Kearns avoids this year's World Cup altogether lest he fall into a bog of depression.
Because whatever the rights and wrongs of the penalty try decision, it's a red herring. The Highlanders were worth every point of their surprisingly large win, and that has to be a huge worry for Australia in a World Cup year.
The game wasn't over at the controversial point, yet the home side - stacked with test players - folded. One of their glaring failures was an inability to get outstanding fullback Israel Folau into the game. The energy, power and strategies of the Hurricanes and Highlanders blew the Brumbies and Waratahs apart, even though hardly any prime All Black forwards were involved. Gone was the belligerent attitude of Will Skelton versus the Crusaders this year, replaced by the old image of Australian rugby being full of underpowered posers. Tatafu Polata-Nau looks more ready to tumble than rumble, Ardie Savea blasted David Pocock off the park in Wellington, and on and on. The big Aussie names were lame.
The travel-weary Brumbies may have had an excuse, but the Waratahs - coached by Wallaby boss Michael Cheika - didn't turn up on their own doorstep, which doesn't bode well for the world tournament on the other side of the world. All Black supporters, however, should be cock-a-hoop, although that's not allowed in a World Cup year.
Coach with the most
Whatever the result of the Super Rugby final, the Highlanders' Jamie Joseph is my Super Rugby coach of the year. Joseph has got blood out of a stone with that forward pack, no disrespect to the players intended. Not only did no Highlanders forward make the large All Black squad, but it's unlikely any were close to initial selection. The Hurricanes' Chris Boyd has produced the team of the year but he had a lot more to work with in the forwards than Joseph did.
Canes a joy to watch
This column's pick for the final - the Hurricanes by 15 points, but only if Ardie Savea plays. If he doesn't, it will be closer. The Hurricanes deserve the title on their season-long form and results. The way the Hurricanes have played has lifted rugby out of the morass of incomprehensible rules, half-empty stadiums, scrum re-sets and other general time wasting. They have been a joy to watch and along with the rags-to-riches Highlanders story, have helped this rugby naysayer fall in love with the game again. After years of disappointment, the Hurricanes could expect to be the people's favourite in any final but they will concede that position to the Highlanders' Cinderella story.
Superstar Savea
How might Ardie Savea fit in the All Black scheme of things - now there's an interesting topic. There has been a lot to mull over, after his blistering display against the Brumbies. Maybe Savea could develop into a bench specialist, the way Beauden Barrett has done. Savea has the goods to cover all the loose forward positions and become a superstar impact player.
