Wairangi Koopu’s warning around pronunciation ahead of NRL All Stars clash

The 42-year-old says the cultural celebration around the game elevates it to another level, but warns that commentators and broadcasters need to start working harder to pronounce Māori names correctly.

The 171-game veteran, who now works on TV in New Zealand, has even offered his services as a Te Reo Māori commentator or consultant.

“Not that anybody pays attention, but I’m constantly on Twitter and Instagram, saying, ‘Hey, it’s not hard, just get a consultant to get these names correct, and if you need a hand, I’m more than willing’,” Koopu tells CODE Sports.

“It’s hard to get a response from outlets and broadcasters though, and that’s as far as it goes.”

Koopu isn’t the first former NRL star to speak out about incorrect pronunciation, with Issac Luke venting his frustrations on social media last year.

Meanwhile, Junior Paulo has recently started correcting people about how to say his name too.

Getting it right is a sign of respect, says Koopu.

“You have a history of a last name, there’s a lineage,” he says. “Many players are named after their grandparents or an ancestor within their tribe.

“It’s said a certain way your whole life, but then you’ll get to the NRL and it gets pronounced wrong, but because the world hears it that way, that’s how it sticks.

“Then the lineage changes.”

It’s something he encountered throughout his decade in the NRL.

“If you called my grandfather the way my name was pronounced a lot when I was playing, he wouldn’t have known who you were talking about,” he says.

An obvious solution is to have Māori commentators on the broadcast, especially for such a significant occasion.

“I know they don’t mean to be disrespectful, but to bumble those names and not respect them properly, it’s really hard to listen to,” he says. “It’s hard to ignore.

“If Fox and Channel 9, being here in Aotearoa, if they get some Māori commentary along so we can really pronounce the names right, that would be fantastic as well.”

Koopu has always been deeply connected to his Māori roots, and grew up speaking Te Reo at home and at school. His standing in the community is such that he was last month named the Warriors’ cultural ambassador, and will provide assistance and guidance to the club around cultural practices.

Koopu appeared alongside Clinton Toopi, David Kidwell, Sean Hoppe and Tawera Nikau in the New Zealand Māori side that played at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, but would have dearly love to play in a Maori vs Indigenous All Stars match.

“I love State of Origin for being the pinnacle of rugby league, I love Test football for the passion that comes from those jerseys, and I love the NRL for the quality of rugby league, but the All Stars is probably my favourite game of the season,” he says.

“Watching the respect shown between the two cultures is something that makes me emotional, and while I did represent my culture in different formats, it would’ve meant so much to be a part of.”

Ahead of this Saturday’s game in Rotorua, Koopu likens the pride surrounding the All Stars clash to the rise in players opting to play for Samoa, Tonga and Fiji.

“It’s a pride thing, with players going back to their heritage,” he says.

“To go back and play for Tonga or Samoa, where your whakapapa – your genealogy – comes from, and to be able to make your grandparents and parents proud, it’s becoming more and more important.

“It’s evident it’s not just about the money, it’s about legacy and representation. And, at the end of the day, the standard of rugby league goes up, and that’s beneficial for everybody.”