The war cry from the Indigenous side, and the haka from the Maori team, were two of the most eye-catching moments of the All Stars weekend.
Encapsulating the pride and passion for their respective cultures, the stadium at the Gold Coast erupted as each set of players put on a pre-game show, before backing it up with some even better action off the field.
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Josh Addo-Carr’s tribute to AFL icon Nicky Winmar was scintillating viewing.
Fatty Vautin: "Who won the dancing contest?"
All Stars: Paul Vautin was left awkwardly hanging by Andrew Johns when he referred to the traditional war dance as "dancing contest".
But some fans were not best pleased with Channel 9’s coverage of the event, particularly with comments made by Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin.
The long-time pundit was behind the mic with Andrew Johns when both sides had finished their cultural performances.
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“I really enjoyed that,” said Vautin. “As I imagine everyone did at home.
“I saw a healthy respect for both cultures out there.
“And that’s very important, and the boys loved it. I loved the dancing, who won the dancing contest Joey?”
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NRL: The Indigenous All Stars have produced a spine-tingling war dance lead by Latrell Mitchell and was capped off with Josh Addo-Carr paying tribute to an iconic AFL moment.
Adam Blair of the Maori All-Stars performs a hakaSource:Getty Images
Latrell Mitchell is seen during the Indigenous All Stars war-crySource:AAP
Johns refuses to respond leaving an awkward silence.
Vautin continues: “They were both pretty good.”
The comments prompted an angered backlash from fans, who were not happy.
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Paul Vautin’s “who won the dancing contest?” is one of the more disrespectful questions you’ll ever hear during a Rugby League broadcast.
Somehow both absolutely appalling and not the least bit surprising. -M#NRLAllStars
You know when you buy thickened cream, use it once and then forget that it's still at the back of the fridge and then you smell something really bad and find something resembling thickened cream with extra lumps and mould?
That's Paul Vautin.
Way, WAY past his use-by date. https://t.co/AsQw3eVx48
@Channel9 An amazing display of indigenous culture tonight at the NRL All Stars game. The first thing we hear after this intense show of culture is Paul Vautin asking “who won the dancing contest”. What a disgraceful comment.
@NRLonNine anything further on Paul Vautin's "Dancing Contest" comment last night? It wasn't exactly culturally sensitive.
“Paul Vautin’s ‘who won the dancing contest?’ is one of the more disrespectful questions you’ll ever hear during a Rugby League broadcast,” wrote one supporter.
“Somehow both absolutely appalling and not the least bit surprising.”
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Another chimed in, equally appalled, saying: “ You know when you buy thickened cream, use it once and then forget that it’s still at the back of the fridge and then you smell something really bad and find something resembling thickened cream with extra lumps and mould?
“That’s Paul Vautin.
“Way, WAY past his use-by date.
One supported felt the comments were insensitive, writing on social media: “@Channel9 An amazing display of indigenous culture tonight at the NRL All Stars game. The first thing we hear after this intense show of culture is Paul Vautin asking ‘who won the dancing contest’. What a disgraceful comment.”
Maori’s win All-Stars clash
League: Maori All-Stars produced a fourth quarter fightback to defeat the Indigenous All-Stars 30-16 at the CBUS Super Stadium on the Gold Coast.
While another said: “anything further on Paul Vautin’s ‘Dancing Contest’ comment last night? It wasn’t exactly culturally sensitive.”
Originally published as‘Dancing contest’: Fatty’s All Stars howler
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