Kangaroos star Johnathan Thurston has been snapped swearing while delivering a passionate Indigenous acknowledgement before the opening game of the rugby league World Cup.
The Kangaroos were delivering a special welcome and acknowledgement ahead of their game against England at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Friday night.
As part of the welcome, injured star Thurston came onto the field with the team as they formed a chevron in front of him.
He recited an ode which was meant to reflect the values the team stood for – until he appeared to forget the words and muttered ‘f**k’ under his breath.
Kangaroos star Johnathan Thurston (pictured in background wearing suit) has been snapped swearing while delivering a passionate Indigenous acknowledgement
The Kangaroos were delivering a special welcome and acknowledgement ahead of their game against England
The presentation began with captain Cameron Smith stating ‘we as Kangaroos acknowledge and pay respect to our traditional owners’ while his teammates knelt in a circle around him.
The team then stood and said ‘and we will rise as one’.
Thurston was dressed in a suit and began to speak as the players assembled before him.
As part of the welcome, injured star Thurston (pictured right with Cooper Cronk) came onto the field with the team as they formed a chevron in front of him
‘Like the coat of arms on our heart…’ he began before appearing to forget his words.
He then muttered ‘f**k’, before remembering his lines.
The Kangaroos players appeared confused by the slight delay before picking up their places when Thurston’s memory improved.
‘Like the chevron on our chest, we will be selfless in victory,’ he said.
Thurston was dressed in a suit and began to speak as the players assembled before him
‘Like the coat of arms on our heart…’ he began before appearing to forget his words
The slip-up was noticed by fans, many of whom took to social media to point out the profanity
‘We are from different backgrounds, but we strive for excellence and will rise united.’
The team then said in unison ‘we are Kangaroos’.
The slip-up was noticed by fans, many of whom took to social media to point out the profanity.
It didn’t distract the team from their performance on the field, as the Kangaroos shook off a sloppy start to win the game 18-4.
It didn’t distract the team from their performance on the field, as the Kangaroos shook off a sloppy start to win the game 18-4
Thurston muttered the word under his breath but it was loud enough to be picked up by microphones at the ground