Pacific names

Pacific names ridicule: NRL managers to complain

In the 'Footy Kids in Cars' clip on the Matty Johns Show children were asked what the funniest name in the NRL was before making them pronounce Pacific Island players' names.

The video also aired on Sky TV in New Zealand.

NRL manager of wellbeing and education, Nigel Vagana confirmed he and Frank Puletua, NRL head of Pacific strategy, would complain to the NRL and Fox Sports Australia.

Rugby league commentators get help with Pacific names

Last year the Pacific Islands Media Association accused Australian commentators of racism for poor and the insensitive mispronunciation of a number of the players' names. .

Tavake Fangupo said he was unaware of the fuss but does acknowledge there have been problems in the past.

Australian broadcasters have met with Mr Fangupo and checked individual player names with him and he was happy with their efforts

'Racist' Australian commentators offered help

The apparently poor and insensitive commentary prompted New Zealand's Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA), an association of Pasifika media owners and operators, to lodge a complaint with the broadcaster, Australia's Fox Sports.