Let’s be honest here, there are quite a few names in rugby league that we are pronouncing incorrectly.
In the realm of rugby league, correctly pronouncing players’ names is crucial, but it can often be a challenge. I’ve experienced the frustration of having my own name mispronounced. To tackle this issue, I embarked on a mission to compile a comprehensive guide on the correct pronunciation of every current NRL player’s name.
A few years back, during the COVID-induced suspension of games, I reached out to each club, requesting phonetic pronunciations of their players’ names. I expected a swift and straightforward process, but reality proved otherwise.
While navigating through club email addresses, I stumbled upon the Rabbitohs’ clever address containing the term “thumper,” which brought a smile to my face. Although only 6 out of 16 clubs responded promptly, some automatic replies promised a follow-up within a few working days. Understandably, the remaining clubs were silent, likely due to the timing of my emails falling on a public holiday.
I must commend individuals like Kelly from the Panthers, Holly from the Wests Tigers, and Richard from the Warriors for their exceptional support. Their dedication and effort truly stood out. These clubs are fortunate to have such outstanding staff members.
Regarding the Bulldogs, I empathize with the challenging circumstances they were facing during my contact with them. Given the situation, I completely understand the lack of response. It’s essential to acknowledge and respect the priorities and challenges each club faces.
By striving to ensure the correct pronunciation of players’ names, we contribute to fostering respect and appreciation within the rugby league community.
- Api Koroisau – Koro-sow
- Moses Leota – Lee-oh-tah
- Spencer Leniu – Le-new
- Viliame Kikau – Vee-lee-ah-mee Kick-ow
- Jarome Luai – Loo-eye
- Josh Mansour – Man-saw
- Brian To’o – Toh-oh
- Malakai Watene-Zelezniak – War-tenny Zelez-nee-ark
- Dean Whare – Far-hey
- Isaah Yeo – Eye-say-ah Yo
- Bunty Afoa: Are-for-ah
- Leeson Ah Mau: Lease-on Ah Mau (-au sounds like -ow in cow)
- Gerard Beale: Ger-rid
- Adam Blair
- Lachlan Burr
- Josh Curran
- Wayde Egan
- Jackson Frei: Fry
- David Fusitu’a: Fooss-ee-too-ah (Foo sounds like foo in foot)
- Blake Green
- Tohu Harris: Tore-who
- Chanel Harris-Tavita: Sha-nell Tar-veet-ar
- Patrick Herbert
- Peta Hiku: Pet-ah Hee-koo
- Eliesa Katoa: Ell-ee-ess-ar Kar-tor-ar
- Adam Keighran: Keer-rin
- Karl Lawton
- Ken Maumalo: Mau-mar-lor (au sounds like -ow in cow)
- Taane Milne: Tar-neh
- Kodi Nikorima: Nee-kor-reem-ah
- Agnatius Paasi: Agg-nay-shuss Par-see
- Isaiah Papali’i: Eye-sigh-ah Par-par-lee-ee
- Hayze Perham: Hayz Pair-rim
- Adam Pompey: Pom-pee
- Leivaha Pulu: Lay-var-ha Poo-loo
- Nathaniel Roache
- Jamayne Taunoa-Brown: Toe-nor-ah
- Jazz Tevaga: Teh-vung-ah
- Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: Too-ee-var-sar
- Tom Ale: Ar-leh
- Rocco Berry
- Israel Ogden
- Selestino Ravutaumada: Sell-ess-teen-oh Rar-voo-tau-mun-dah
- Tyler Slade
- Paul Turner
- Jyris Glamuzina: J-eye-riss Glam-oo-zee-nah
- Temple Kalepo: Kar-lee-por
- Edward Kosi: Kor-see
- Phillip Makatoa: Mar-kar-tor-ah
- Adam Tuimavave-Gerrad: Too-ee-mar-var-veh Geh-rard
- Isaiah Vagana: Eye-sigh-ar Vung-ah-nar
- King Vuniyayawa: Voo-nee-yar-yar-wah