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Channel Nine savaged over 'disgusting' State of Origin moment

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Karl Telfer, pictured here performing the traditional Welcome to Country.
Karl Telfer performed the traditional Welcome to Country at the State of Origin opener. Image: Channel Nine

Channel Nine were slammed on Wednesday night during the State of Origin opener in Adelaide when cameras cut away from the traditional Welcome to Country.

Ahead of kick-off on Wednesday night, local elder Karl Telfer - a Kaurna man from the Adelaide Plains - welcomed fans to the region.

'GIVE IT UP': Ray Warren roasted over commentary shocker

'DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT': Fans reject Karl's State of Origin cameo

However Channel Nine commentators started talking over the top of the ceremony before it had finished, with cameras cutting away and missing the end.

When Telfer finished speaking, he started to play the didgeridoo as a traditional dance began.

However viewers never saw it as the coverage cut to an interview between Karl Stefanovic and Andrew Johns.

“The locals are certainly loving it here at the Adelaide Oval,” Channel Nine host James Bracey said over the top of the ceremony.

“The atmosphere certainly is building and we are moments away from kick-off. Karl, you’re with Joey.”

Former AFL star Tony Armstrong led the outrage on social media.

“Channel 9 just started commentating over the Welcome to Country. Cool cool cool,” Armstrong tweeted.

Karl Telfer, pictured here playing the didgeridoo at the Adelaide Oval.
Channel Nine cut away as Karl Telfer started to play the didgeridoo. Image: Channel Nine

“You won’t believe it. We made it to the end of the anthem.”

Sports reporter Adam Peacock wrote: “Welcome to Country should be before Anthem with both teams out there.”

While Avani Dias of Triple J added: “I clocked about 20 seconds of the Welcome to Country before they cut to the commentators.

“Interesting decision considering the anthem debacle”.

Others described the snub as “disgusting” and “disrespectful”.

Last week the NRL back-flipped on a controversial decision to scrap the national anthem from State of Origin after fan backlash and intervention from Scott Morrison.

When the anthem played on Wednesday night, Indigenous players Josh Addo-Carr, Cody Walker, Dane Gagai and Payne Haas did not sing.

Queensland shock NSW in major upset

Queensland’s unlikely bunch of rookies have pulled off a State of Origin miracle in the city of churches, coming from behind to claim a famous 18-14 win over NSW.

Fielding eight debutants and the biggest outsiders for an Origin match in more than 20 years, Queensland looked gone at 10-0 down at half-time.

But that’s where the comeback kicked in for the series opener front of 25,218 fans at Adelaide Oval.

The Maroons scored three tries in the space of 14 minutes minutes, with Kurt Capewell superb on debut with man-of-the-match Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster just as influential.

State of Origin players, pictured here during the national anthem.
A number of players refused to sing the national anthem before the State of Origin opener. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

NSW put themselves back in the match late when Josh Addo-Carr completed his double, but the Maroons held out a late attacking raid to go 1-0 up in the series.

The triumph is arguably one of Wayne Bennett's finest coaching performances, given the Maroons on paper looked a shadow of their great teams of yesteryear.

“I'm not sure what category you put it in (as far as big wins go),” Bennett said.

“They were reasonable questions (about our ability). It's not luck it happens the way it happens. The way they came to together at the camp.

“There has been a lot of restrictions on them.

“They overcome everything to come here tonight and play as a team, play as a Queensland team.”

with AAP

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