Highlanders fans may sing his name, but Waisake Naholo has joined a group of Super Rugby players making sure his name is pronounced correctly.
In a video campaign entitled 'Say My Name', New Zealand Rugby and the five franchises are encouraging fans to "help people feel brave – and safe enough – to have a go at pronouncing some of the more difficult names".
The video features Highlanders winger Naholo, Crusaders duo Richie Mo'unga and Michael Ala-alatoa, Wes Goosen of the Hurricanes, Dalton Papali'i of the Blues and Pita Gus Sowakula and assistant coach Tabai Matson of the Chiefs.
Some TV commentators ‑ particularly in Australia and South Africa ‑ have struggled with names of players of Maori and Pacific Island origin in NZ teams, while All Blacks coach Steve Hansen recently attracted criticism for simply referring to Chiefs and new All Blacks halfback Te Toi-roa Tahu-rio-rangi as "Triple T".
Former All Black Piri Weepu at the start of the video said a great way of being respectful to different cultures is to make sure to pronounce names correctly.
Meanwhile, the Highlanders will take on the Hurricanes at 7.35pm Friday.
Source: Stuff.co
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