Veteran Fox Sports Commentator Steve Roach Faces Backlash for Mispronouncing Sydney Roosters Recruit Mark Nawaqanitawase’s Name: ‘Insulting
Veteran Fox Sports commentator Steve “Blocker” Roach has come under fire after mispronouncing the name of Sydney Roosters’ new recruit, Mark Nawaqanitawase, during a live broadcast. Fans and social media users have labeled the mistake as “insulting” and “unprofessional,” sparking widespread criticism online.
Nawaqanitawase, a rising star of Fijian heritage, recently joined the Roosters after a standout season in rugby union, playing for the NSW Waratahs and representing Australia in the Wallabies. His switch to rugby league has drawn significant attention, but the focus quickly shifted to Roach’s mispronunciation of the recruit’s surname during the match coverage.
Many viewers took to social media to express their disappointment, noting that commentators should make the effort to pronounce players’ names correctly, particularly those from diverse cultural backgrounds. “It’s not that hard to learn a player’s name, especially one as prominent as Nawaqanitawase,” tweeted one fan. Others called the mistake “lazy” and accused Roach of showing a lack of respect for the player and his heritage.
Despite the backlash, Roach has not yet commented publicly on the incident. However, his mispronunciation has raised broader conversations about the responsibility of broadcasters to properly represent players from different cultures and backgrounds.
This is not the first time commentators have faced criticism for mispronouncing names, with fans and diversity advocates urging networks to provide more cultural training and preparation for their on-air talent.
As the debate continues, Nawaqanitawase remains focused on his upcoming season with the Roosters, with hopes that the spotlight will soon return to his promising performance on the field rather than the controversy surrounding his name.
