New ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie has apologised for his Cronulla Sharks gaffe, putting it down to a case of nerves.
The former Queensland premier and self-described lifelong rugby league fan appeared unable to name the Cronulla NRL side in an interview with commentator Phil Gould on Monday night.
Beattie subsequently laughed off the incident as a case of not getting Gould’s joke and pointed out he went into the Sharks’ dressing sheds following Friday’s loss to North Queensland in Townsville.
“This was me Saturday night with the Sharks’ coach,” Beattie posted to social media with a photo of him and Shane Flanagan minutes after the interview aired on the Nine Network’s 100% Footy.
“Yes I stuffed up the answer; just nervous in front of the great Phil Gould.
“Yeah I’m human. I had a mental blank. The price of doing the NRL & the Commonwealth Games at the same time !! Thanks Gus for having me on the show.”
In a gaffe reminiscent of his predecessor John Grant, Beattie appeared unable to identify the NRL side which plays out of the Sutherland Shire.
Gould was referencing an infamous incident in which Grant misnamed the “Cronulla Hawks” and “Manly Seagulls” during a Kangaroos team announcement.
“Before you’re officially welcomed, you’ve got to answer one question,” Gould asked.
“The team that plays out of the Sutherland Shire – is it the Cronulla Hawks, the Cronulla Seagulls or the Cronulla Sharks?”
In an embarrassing faux pas, Beattie stumbled over his answer and seemed unable to name the 2016 premiers.
“I’ll be honest, I wouldn’t have a bloody clue but I’ll know next week,” Beattie said.
“It’s got to be Cronulla of some kind.
“It’s too bloody hard Gus, that’s too difficult.”
When given a chance to clarify his response and pressed on whether he knew more than Grant, Beattie again fumbled his response.
“I’m aiming to be better but I’d never pretend to know what I don’t know,” Beattie said.
“Tell you what, you can take me down there one day and shout me lunch, you can educate me.”
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
A typo...oh dear -what some people focus on.
Jacko
Guest
"It seems not like a lots of people here" Oh dear - I wish I had said that
Cathar Treize
Roar Guru
Agreed. It seems not like a lots of people here, Beattie has a life, quite a busy one at that. Perhaps a few people need to have more than footy in their lives
Memphis
Guest
Oh dear
BA Sports
Guest
This is John Grant's parting gift to us all... Peter Beattie.. Hopefully Beattie and the other commissioners (who have achieved nothing during their tenure) don't frustrate V'Landys into leaving the Board. I think all league fans would be much more comfortable if V'Landys was in charge. Hopefully he can take control of the Boardroom from his new role and influence some smart decisions.
E-Meter
Guest
So he forgets the name of a team - big woop. Does it really matter?
Bumsy
Roar Rookie
Bahahahahaha! Promote that man!
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Made a goose of himself ,no doubt.If he were a smart one he should have done some homework, he should at least be aware he'd get a Dorothy Dixer. But geez does that question, have anything to do with the future direction ,infrastructure,junior plans etc etc. But in reality he is in the end, the figurehead(and yes has the casting vote) and will have business people on the Board who are behind the decision making.. If he continues to be ineffective V'Landys will be waiting in the wings for a start.
In Brief
Guest
Don't stress, soon you will have a smoke stack on Birchgrove oval from the Connex Expressway- don't think anyone will be kicking Sherrin's for too much longer..
Memphis
Guest
I think it was a Dorothy Dixer. The Fairfax herald went into meltdown when the Local junior soccer chief parading as a Finance reporter wrote about the AFL wanting Birchgrove Oval when in fact the AFL only wanted access to grounds in the area not Birchgrove per se. Anyway he has left Fairfax so its good there is ground sharing for the kids in the area. Inner city Sydney is bereft of green space in comparison.
Big Daddy
Guest
Good point Nat. This bloke was the premier of Qld and couldn't run a chook raffle. How can you expect him to England a business. Geez and we have the hide to complain about our politicians. Look what happened to mal when he decided to have a go. Politicians should stick to what they know best. NOTHING.
RandyM
Guest
so what, its a multi purpose oval. They play state of origin at the MCG, they just played an NRL match at the new Perth stadium before AFL.
Nat
Roar Guru
"Take me down there for lunch and educate me" He was there on Saturday! Maybe ask him the name of the bloke he got the selfie with? I like to give people a chance to prove themselves but this clown left Qld in a mess and just wait for the debacles with the Comm Games. All he is good for is handshake and photo shoot.
Big Daddy
Guest
The NRL have a big track record of appointing dills to high pressure roles and none of them have really made any difference to how league is run despite getting huge salaries to do so. Look at some one like shane Richardson who was paid heaps and did stuff all. Get singo in and he would probably sack the lot.
Magnitude
Guest
Gee whiz - Beattie befuddles while Rome burns - they have erected AFL posts on Birchgrove Oval , the birthplace of Aust Rugby League though the ground was already shared with soccer, RL and cricket. The number of NRL juniors in the inner west is 1800 though a not insignificant number is way down on previous and all Greenberg says is that the broadcasting money will save us. Good grief..
Fix the scums
Guest
Uh oh! Doesn't look good.
MAX
Guest
Not the last time Peter Blunder will laugh away a faux pas.
RandyM
Guest
I thought maybe he just misinterpreted the question (i hope). He is very politician like though
beepee
Guest
Seriously, is this the best we can do? These career bureaucrats are simply there for their egos. Surely there is somebody adequately qualified who also possesses a decent knowledge of the game and its people.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Where do they find these people? Is there seriously no one else better to run the game? It really is a joke and looks more like a who you know, jobs for boys club at the top.