'So cringe': Viewers turn on Karl Stefanovic over Origin gaffe
If the first week of Karl Stefanovic’s turn as a State of Origin host got off to a somewhat inauspicious start, the second week wasn’t much better in the eyes of fans.
The Today show host caught fans by surprise during Origin I last week with his surprise cameo on the broadcast, even getting a laugh out of Maroons coach Wayne Bennett pre-game - but his pronunciation of the Queensland players’ names was less amusing.
POOR FORM: State of Origin crowd's 'disgraceful' act during Last Post
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Stafanovic butchered several of the Maroons players names, prompting fierce criticism of the veteran host on social media.
Many said he should have ensured he knew how to pronounce each name properly before going to air, rather than make a series of errors attempting to do it off the cuff.
Question from someone who never watches brekkie TV: Is Karl Stefanovic usually this bad or is it just an Origin thing?
— James Silver (@JamesSilver3) November 11, 2020
He appeared to trip over the names over Felise Kaufusi, Tino Faasuamaleaui, Jai Arrow and Moeaki Fotuaika.
Daily Telegraph sports editor James Silver was one of many to take Stefanovic to task on Twitter.
“Question from someone who never watches brekkie TV: Is Karl Stefanovic usually this bad or is it just an Origin thing?” he wrote.
Others were also scathing of Stefanovic’s effort.
Dear @karlstefanovic - if you would like to hire a coach to try and learn not to destroy islander names, give me a pm, mate #origin #nrl
— Bradley McCrorey 🤙 (@4fthawaiian) November 11, 2020
@NRLonNine Karl Stefanovic should never be allowed to cover another rugba leeg game ever again, more names wrong than right 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
— Kuke Lunde (@KukeLunde) November 11, 2020
Serious question: Do boomers even enjoy Nine's coverage of the NRL? The shit is so cringe it's killing the sport. #Origin #NRL #stateoforigin
— matthew dunn (@mattydunn11) November 11, 2020
Fark me. Did Karl pronounce half the QLD #origin team incorrectly ? Embarrassing.
— MelbTiger Talk (@MelbTigerTalk) November 11, 2020
Outrage after loud noise during Origin minute of silence
The NSW crowd has been blasted for ‘disrespecting’ the Last Post in the Remembrance Day ceremony ahead of State of Origin Game II.
As the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons stood arm-in-arm on the field, all those in attendance were asked to observe a minute silence for the women and men who have served and died in the line of duty.
During the pause in the Last Post, played by Corporal John Byrne, members of the crowd began to make noise and cheer for their team.
Some fans may have been confused after the customary silence after the bugle plays.
This is despite both teams remaining unmoved still observing the minute silence.
The Last Post was completed after the moments silence.
But viewers took to social media to blast the fans in attendance that made noise during the ceremony.
And a good evening to absolutely everyone except the jerks who couldn’t shut up for even a minute #stateoforigin
— Steve Smith (@stevesmithffx) November 11, 2020
one of the most poorly observed minutes of silence i can remember #origin
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) November 11, 2020
Wow... that (lack of) moment of silence in the last post was... not good... 😬 #stateoforigin
— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) November 11, 2020
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