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2 months ago
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NRL bosses are taking no chances to ensure there isn't a repeat of the very controversial national anthem ahead of Origin's game two at the MCG on Wednesday night.
In the series opener on June 5 in Sydney, 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright was savaged by footy fans after he delivered a stripped-down, guitar-based rendition of Advance Australia Fair to a packed house at Accor Stadium.
Wright's low-tempo performance was labelled 'diabolical' and 'hipster' by enraged supporters on social media - and the top brass at the NRL have clearly taken notice.
Singer and actress Sheridan Adams has now been handed the honour of belting out the national anthem in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG - and if her performance at this year's Australian Open women's tennis final at Melbourne Park is any guide, it is sure to inspire those in attendance.
It's understood that Adams doesn't plan to deviate from the traditional rendition of the anthem.
That decision could prove to be a wise one after Wright was crucified online earlier this month.
In addition to being labelled 'diabolical' and 'hipster', other commenters on social media were even more blunt.
'Nah f*ck off with this national anthem. You can't do a cover of the anthem,' one wrote.
NRL bosses are taking no chances to ensure there isn't a repeat of the very controversial national anthem ahead of Origin's game two at the MCG on Wednesday (pictured, Dylan Wright performing Advance Australia Fair at this year's series opener)
NSW Blues skipper Jake Trbojevic (pictured left) looked bemused when Wright sang a stripped-down, guitar-based rendition of the anthem
It wasn't long before viewers flooded X, formerly known as Twitter, with their thoughts - and they weren't positive for Dylan Wright
'Not a fan of artists putting their spin on the national anthem. Either sing it properly, or just play the Julie Anthony recording,' commented another.
'Just when you thought the national anthem couldn't be worse,' wrote a third.
'Could be the worst anthem rendition in recent memory,' quipped another.
The staging of the Welcome to Country at the series opener in the Harbour City was also a major talking point.
Savannah Fynn, 21, spoke with maturity beyond her years when she acknowledged the traditional owners of the land.
Savannah Fynn, 21, won plenty of plaudits when she acknowledged the traditional owners of the land at the Origin series opener earlier this month in Sydney
The NSW Blues must win in Melbourne on Wednesday to keep the Origin series alive
Queensland are gunning for three straight series wins - and will host game three next month in Brisbane
Fynn garnered plenty of support online, with one footy follower labelling her 'awesome.'
'Welcome to country defeats the Anthem by some margin,' one fan said.
'What a gorgeous welcome to country from that young woman!' wrote another.
Another expressed her pride at Fynn acknowledging her Dubbo roots, a city in the Orana Region of NSW.
The Blues must win in Melbourne on Wednesday to keep the Origin series alive.
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