‘My poor ears’ – All Blacks fans slam ‘worst ever’ rendition of New Zealand’s national anthem

Jared Wright
Marla Kavanaugh singing God Defend New Zealand and All Blacks prop Pasilio Tosi.

Marla Kavanaugh singing God Defend New Zealand and All Blacks prop Pasilio Tosi.

All Blacks fans have slammed Marla Kavanaugh’s rendition of God Defend New Zealand ahead of the clash against Fiji in San Diego.

Scott Robertson and his team headed to the USA for their third Test of the year, facing off against the Flying Fijians.

The All Blacks cruised to a resounding 47-5 victory over the Pacific Islanders, running in seven tries with Caleb Clarke, Cortez Ratima, Billy Proctor, Ardie Savea, Sevu Reece, Ethan de Groot and George Bell crossing the whitewash.

Worst rendition of God Defend New Zealand

While Robertson’s charges were outstanding throughout the 80 minutes, proceedings did kick off on a bum note, with Kavanaugh’s rendition of the New Zealand national anthem heavily criticised on social media.

“Ok never again please. Sorry,” one fan remarked with other comments being far more harsh.

Another added: “That rendition of our national anthem thooooo…”

Journalist Jamie Wall weighed in on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, posting: “F**k this is a shocker of a rendition of our already s**t national anthem.


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And his views were widely shared by fellow onlookers.

“Bro that anthem f**kin sucked. Like even more s**t than our anthem usually is,” another wrote.

While Australian journalist Nathan Williamson believed that the singer ‘definitely bet the overs on length of anthem’.

Several fans said it was ‘the worst rendition of the NZ national anthem ever!’

One fan added: “It was atrocious and so slow. My poor ears”, while another remarked that it was “absolutely shocking” and that the “had to mute the TV”.

“Just heard the worst performance of the NZ national anthem that I think I’ve ever seen in my life,” another fan’s post added.

The All Blacks will now return to New Zealand having wrapped up their July internationals.

Robertson’s side begin their Rugby Championship campaign on August 10 with their opening two games being against Argentina before back-to-back Tests in South Africa against the Springboks.

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