Australian football fans watching the NFL Super Bowl got a shock today when AFL star Nick Riewoldt appeared in the coverage, with the St Kilda star seemingly more impressed by celebrity spectator Taylor Swift than the match itself.
Riewoldt appeared in the pre-game and halftime breaks for the big game between San Francisco and Kansas City, along with ESPN International SportsCentre host Phil Murphy, confusing many NFL fans.
“Nick Riewoldt giving insight into an NFL game is something I didn’t expect today,” said one fan.
“I don’t mind Nick Riewoldt as an announcer, but it’s laughable to have him talking about what needs to happen for the Chiefs to get back into the game,” another added.
“Oh for goodness sake, Nick Riewoldt is doing the Kayo coverage of the Super Bowl. He’s not charismatic, he’s just blonde,” another posted.
AFL star Nick Riewoldt joins ESPN analyst Phil Murphy in Super Bowl coverage for Aussies
Riewoldt was impressed by Swift’s attempts to have a glass of wine on the big screen while cheering on her Kansas City Chiefs friend Travis Kelce.
Riewoldt, nicknamed Rooey, has struggled to analyze American sport during his cameos and was clueless when RNB legend Usher asked him about the half-time cameo.
But when the subject of Taylor Swift came up, he came alive.
Swift rushed to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas during the Japan leg of her Eras tour to support her superstar Kansas City Chiefs boyfriend Travis Kelce.
And when the camera panned to her in the booth, she pulled a distinctly Australian film that Riewoldt loved.
“What about Taylor Swift downing an entire glass of wine while the camera is on her?” he asked.
‘They were booing Swift when she drank the wine. Was it more partisan support from you?” Murphy asked Riewoldt.
“I thought it was a power grab,” Riewoldt replied.
“Everyone was playing with a fairly straight bat, she would stand up and puff with it.
“She’ll fit in well in Australia when she goes to bed next week.”
Riewoldt thinks Swift will fit in well in Australia when she brings her Eras tour Down Under
However, his Taylor Swift analysis only served to confuse even more Australian football fans.
“At work I quickly checked to see if the halftime show was on yet and I didn’t expect Nick Riewoldt to hype up Taylor, haha,” said one bewildered supporter.
“Never thought in my life I would listen to Nick Riewoldt say Taylor Swift is a drink chugging unit,” another added.