New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) boss Greg Peters intends having a few strong words with promoters Moore Sports following the national anthem debacle at the Kiwis vs England test in Denver.
Local performer Crystal Collins sang both 'God Save The Queen' and 'God Defend New Zealand' before the highly anticipated test at Mile High Stadium, and both were well below par, but her rendition of New Zealand's anthem infuriated fans around the world.
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The mismatch of music and lyrics seemed to confuse the Kiwis players, who responded by singing louder themselves, as Collins mumbled and stuttered her way through.
Speaking to Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes on RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport, Peters called the anthem "disgraceful", and is seeking an explanation why nobody else sang it instead.
"The anthem was disgraceful, and we are very disappointed by that," he said.
"These things happen from time to time, and it's not the first time that I've seen it happen in sport.
"The Kiwi national anthem is something we're proud of, and we will be taking steps to speak to the promoters about that in the debrief."
As NZRL didn't fund the test, it didn’t make the decision to give Collins the gig, but Peters wants a say on who sings the anthem next time they head overseas.
"In world sport today, you have to get these things right - it is about paying respect to both teams.
"I didn't think the England anthem was that crash hot either, so I'm sure they have a few things to say about that.
"If we had more time on the ground in Denver, we might have had time to tick more of those boxes, but it will be at the top of my list for future events."
Kiwis coach Michael Maguire is Australian and is still learning 'God Defend New Zealand', but he admits he would have done a better job.
"I'm learning it, but I'd put money on myself for that one," he told RadioLIVE.
"I was very disappointed - you could see the boys singing it, so that was the thing that I was proud of.
"I think they were aware that something was going on in the background, but it was definitely not what I would have called an anthem."
Maguire said halfback Kodi Nikorima or forward Leeson Ah Mau would be the best singers in the Kiwis team, and should have taken the microphone.
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