News Corp Australia staff writers appear a bit less than thrilled with Mike Goldberg after his work over the weekend calling the action from the UFC’s trip to New Zealand.
Right on the front page of News.com.au is the headline “UFC commentator’s massive fail” with the sub-header of “AMERICANS are notorious for being completely ignorant about other countries. But this epic fail by a UFC commentator is one of the worst blunders we’ve seen.”
The blunder in question? Mispronouncing the name of one of New Zealand’s top sports stars while also completely botching the sport in which he participates.
Fuelling the American stereotype of being completely ignorant about other countries, the US commentator announced, “Here tonight in attendance, Jonah Lomu of the All Blacks, one of the greatest Australian Rules Football players of all time.”
Jonah Lomu is, of course, not one of our greatest AFL players, but rather one of the world’s greatest Rugby union players. You know, the sport that the All Blacks compete in.
Not only did the commentator get that wrong, but he also pronounced Lomu’s last name wrong as well, calling him,” Jonah La-boo.”
News.com.au is the top ranked Australian news site according to rankings as recent as March of 2014.