Simply the worst? Backlash over error-riddled and "divisive" NRL ad
South Sydney NRL player Latrell Mitchell has made a dig at Karl Stefanovic after he criticised the star’s role in the NRL’s controversial new campaign.
The new advertisement campaign which was revealed on Monday, unveiled a throwback to Tina Turner’s iconic hit Simply The Best.
Thirty years on, #NRL is still simply the best.
See the revival of Tina Turner's famous 1990 campaign, featuring some of the biggest moments in footy from the past three decades 🏉 pic.twitter.com/2wU39u6sMk— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) March 2, 2020
However, what originally was made to bring attention to the NRL and pay homage to a number of prominent, remarkable figures has been labelled as too “politically correct”.
The critics slammed the ad which featured a shot of Latrell Mitchell draped in an Aboriginal flag, singer Macklemore’s famous performance from 2017 where he made a tribute for same-sex marriage and a famous kiss between Karina Brown and Vanessa Foliaki after the partners played against each other in a State of Origin match.
Today host Karl Stefanovic was among some of those who slammed the advertisement and singled out the NRL player who wore an aboriginal flag. He insisted the move did not promote inclusion for the game.
“How do you unite the game when you have a picture of Latrell Mitchell on his own with the Aboriginal flag around him?” Stefanovic said on Tuesday.
“That’s not unifying, that’s divisive.
“It’s putting him on his own.
“Rugby league is about indigenous (people) and everyone else coming together for the sport, not putting anyone on their own.”
Mitchell was quick to share some of the comments on his personal Instagram account.
“This ad shows (Charnze) Nicoll-Klokstad by himself, shows (Tyson) Frizell by himself. Yet Karl picks out Latrell standing by himself with the Aboriginal flag as ‘divisive’,” read one post that Mitchell shared.
“Once again blackfullas can’t be proud of our culture without a whiter person’s approval.
“Once again people must shut up and play footy, so that we can avoid offending the racists of our country.”