- Commentators have worked hard to get Roosters star’s name right
A Channel Nine commentator has come under fire for allegedly dodging a player’s surname because it is too hard for him to pronounce correctly.
NRL caller Mark Thompson has been called out for repeatedly referring to Sydney Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase as ‘Marky Mark’.
Nawaqanitawase is of Fijian and Italian heritage and has become a cult hero in the NRL since switching codes from the Waratahs and Wallabies this season.
Aware that his name is tricky to pronounce, he released a video while with the Waratahs helpfully telling people how to say it phonetically.
But Thompson has been accused of repeatedly avoiding attempting the pronunciation, including in the Roosters’ most recent match against the Melbourne Storm.
‘They’ve got them shot, Marky Mark with another one,’ he said in commentary during the Roosters’ 40-10 rout last Friday night.
Channel Nine NRL commentator Matt Thompson (pictured right with Olympics great Anna Meares) has come under fire for dodging the surname of a prominent Sydney Roosters player
Many footy fans struggle with Mark Nawaqanitawase’s (pictured) surname, but other TV commentators have got it right consistently
Nawaqanitawase – pronounced ‘Nah-wonga-knee-ta-wah-say’ scored four tries in the victory but Thompson kept referring to him as ‘Marky Mark’ throughout the game.
News Corp and NRL 360 reporter Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield noticed the trend and wrote about Thompson in his column.
‘Channel 9’s Matt Thompson has got to learn to pronounce the name of Roosters star Mark Nawaqanitawase rather than referring to him as Marky Mark for his four tries against Storm on Friday night,’ he wrote.
‘Even I can pronounce his name, or sort of.’
Footy-based X account NRL Oracle also called him out, writing: ‘Fox callers always call him Nawaqanitawase, because that’s his name. Matt Thompson can’t be bothered, and all night referred to him as Marky Mark.’
NRL fans have noticed it as well, taking to social media to point out Thompson’s habit.
‘Sad that Matt Thompson is paid to commentate rugby league and instead of learning how to say Nawaqanitawase he just resorts to ‘Marky Mark’ every time,’ posted one footy fan.
Nawaqanitawase has become a cult figure in the NRL through his try-scoring feats for the Roosters
It comes after Nawaqanitawase was a high-profile code-hopping signing from the NSW Waratahs and Wallabies
Veteran Fox Sports commentator Steve Roach has also come under fire for butchering the former Wallaby’s name.
He made a very lazy effort in commentary, calling him Mark ‘Wangawangawangawanga’.
‘Such a shame Steve Roach couldn’t be bothered to learn the correct pronunciation of Mark Nawaqanitawase’s name. I hope Fox [Sports] don’t condone Roach making fun of his surname,’ Roosters supporter Alan Katzmann tweeted on X.
‘His signing was announced over two months ago. Everyone in the media has had plenty of time to learn it.’
Another fan was on the same page, responding with: ‘100% agree, especially when the Roosters have put out a social media post of Mark pronouncing his name correctly.’
However, others have defended commentators skipping or mispronouncing the name, saying ‘there are bigger problems in the world’.
‘Nothing wrong with that, its bloody hard to pronounce,’ one posted.
‘IDGAF about getting pronunciation exact right but someone who’s paid to do it shouldn’t be serving us up sh***y nicknames,’ added another.
Channel Nine has been contacted for comment.
Nawaqanitawase’s name will continue to be mentioned in coming weeks and months as his star continues to rise in the NRL after his switch from rugby.
Two weeks ago he lit up highlight reels with his ‘flick pass from heaven’ against Parramatta and his sensational try against the Bulldogs in round 11 is regarded as possibly the best four-pointer of the season.
