Awful anthem versions: Daze the music died

• Published date: 17 September 2023
• Publication title: Herald on Sunday

But there is of course an enduring sports tradition of butchering national anthems long before this, so let’s use the occasion to celebrate the three of the worst renditions of God Defend New Zealand

●American singer Crystal Collins was completely lost as she stumbled her way through the New Zealand national anthem ahead of a Kiwis rugby league clash against England in Denver, Colorado, in 2018. Sky TV commentator Glen Larmer called it “the worst rendition of the New Zealand national anthem that I’ve ever heard at a sporting event”.

●Another to fall well short of delivering what was required was Tessa King in March, ahead of Kiwi David Light’s WBO world cruiserweight title fight against Lawrence Okolie in Manchester. “Hear our voices we retreat,” is one line she didn’t quite nail.

●Emma Paki infamously botched the anthem ahead of a Kiwis-Kangaroos league test at North Harbour Stadium in 2003. Having unsteadily warbled her way through Advance Australia Fair in front of a capacity crowd, Paki then completely fluffed the lyrics to God Defend New Zealand.

Play it again, please Have broadcasters of the Rugby World Cup been instructed to go easy on the replays?

Host Broadcast Services, an independent sports production company, has the broadcast contract, but it is almost as if they are working to guidelines of “show nothing controversial unless a ref sees it”. Either that, or their TV directors are just not very good.

While it is true that replays on big screens at the grounds can have an oversize influence on referee decisions, they are also are a huge part of TV viewer consumption. Even if they want to leave out the high tackles, please show us the line breaks more.

Outgunned — but tanks for the game As far as omens for the Rugby World Cup go, New Zealand’s efforts at the Military Rugby World Championship, also contested in France, has ended with a modest fourth placing.

The Defence Blacks enjoyed wins over Ireland 39-24 and Uzbekistan 51-0 but lost 21-15 to France and then 24-12 to the United Kingdom in the semifinals of the 12-team tournament. France beat Fiji in the final.

Unicorn events at the Chatham Cup final Melville United lost a thrilling Chatham Cup final on penalties to Christchurch United last Sunday, but had the consolation of achieving a couple of notable milestones.

Max Tommy became the first goalkeeper to score in a Cup final with his stirring 98th-minute equaliser to force extra time, and for his efforts was awarded the Jack Batty Memorial...