LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In what could be described as a "controversial conversion" on the airwaves, shock-jock Kyle Sandilands has once again found himself in the middle of a storm, this time over the Welcome to Country ceremony at the State of Origin opener.
The 52-year-old radio host didn't hold back in his critique of the traditional acknowledgement, arguing that it has become "as common as a scrum in Rugby League." Sandilands, known for his fiery opinions, believes that the Welcome to Country is now "as effective as a dropped ball in the try zone."
After Savannah Fynn's heartfelt Welcome to Country before Dylan Wright's rendition of the national anthem, many fans and social media users praised the moving ceremony.
One fan even quipped, "That Welcome to Country had more impact than a shoulder charge in the grand final."
However, Sandilands took a different stance on the matter, suggesting that the Welcome to Country has become a "routine play" that is losing its "try-scoring potential." He likened the ceremony to a "tired fullback trying to catch a speedster winger."
As the debate rages on, Sandilands has made it clear that he believes the Welcome to Country should be reserved for special occasions, comparing it to a "golden point in an intense match." Whether his controversial comments will spark a change in how these ceremonies are conducted remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain - Kyle Sandilands has once again stirred the pot in the Rugby League world.