Outrage As Johnathan Thurston's 'Welcome To Country' Speech Is Cut Short By National Anthem
Published
Fans have voiced their frustrations after Johnathan Thurston's 'Welcome to Country' was cut off prematurely by the Australian national anthem.
Appearing just moments before kick-off in the 2021 NRL Grand Final, rugby league legend Thurston took to the mic to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land.
Did the NRL just do a Kanye to Thurston? #NRLGF pic.twitter.com/mTzLQwDS9n
- Basil Zoccali (@BasilZoccali) October 3, 2021
But before he could wrap up his speech, the former North Queensland Cowboys halfback was abruptly cut off by the speakers within Suncorp Stadium as the instrumental to 'Advance Australia Fair' started ringing around the arena.
Even Kate Miller-Heidke, who was tasked with singing the national anthem, looked like she was caught off guard.
As the awkward sequence of events unfolded, NRL fans flocked to social media to have their say on the matter.
While some slammed organisers for the unprofessional stunt, others were quick to point out that it was actually quite disrespectful to both Thurston and the original owners of the land that he was paying respects to.
Pretty atrocious to allow the Australian national anthem to cut off Jonathan Thurston's acknowledgement of country at the #NRLGF
- Max Walden (@maxwalden_) October 3, 2021
Did Jonathan Thurston just get played off with the national anthem?
- Tali Aualiitia (@taliaualiitia) October 3, 2021
I'm a white australian, but felt that cutting off goat thurston's welcome to country with the national anthem seemed bloody off. His face had a look of disgust too. #NRLGF #nrl #NRLgrandfinal
- It's only me. (@Lavishka) October 3, 2021
This gets better not only did they have a shit pregame show. But they just cut off Johnathan thurston by starting the national anthem #NRLGF
- Balding_Man (@BaldingMan4) October 3, 2021
Did they just cut off Thurston's Welcome to Country early with the anthem? #NRLGF
- Ben Williams (@BenitoWill) October 3, 2021
Did the tech just cut off JT?
- Gareth Kidd (@garethvk) October 3, 2021
Wow. That seems to be an auspicious start.#nrl #NRLGF
Did they seriously start playing the national anthem whilst the welcome to country was still going?
- James Atkinson (@JamesAt22685665) October 3, 2021
Unbelievable :rage: #NRLGF #NRL #NRLgrandfinal
Bloody NRL, playing off Jonathon Thurston during the acknowledgement♂️:joy: #NRLGF
- James Blackwell (he/him) (@BlackwellJ_) October 3, 2021
#NRLGF the idiots started singing the anthem before Thurston was finished the acknowledgement of country.
- Nooberstiez (@NoobTubeAnims) October 3, 2021
The Australian Anthem just cut into Jonathan Thurston's Welcome to Country
- Glen Falkenstein (@GlenFalkenstein) October 3, 2021
Appalling
Thurston's a legend and beautiful words - best Grand Final of the last 10 years was his one - hope that never happens again
Nice one nrl national anthem before acknowledgement of country had finish. #NRLGF
- Aaron Amery (@AaronAmery) October 3, 2021
How the hell is the NRL gonna cut off #Thurston during the Welcome to Country!!! This isn't the Oscars. You don't need to play him off! #disrespectful #NRLGF #welcometocountry
- Dropdeadfred (@maka_freddie) October 3, 2021
That was absolutely disgraceful playing off the Welcome To Country like that #NRLGF
- Lance Masina (@lancedmasina) October 3, 2021
Featured Image Credit: Nine
Topics: Rugby League, nrl, Australia
