- Savannah Fynn had many admirers when she performed Welcome to Country
- The same cannot be said for anthem singer Dylan Wright
Savannah Fynn turned heads during her performance of Welcome to Country during the State of Origin opener in Sydney on Wednesday night, but footy fans slammed Dylan Wright’s ‘hipster’ rendition of the anthem.
Fynn, 21, spoke with more maturity beyond her years as she acknowledged the country’s traditional owners, before declaring ‘may the best team win’, dressed in blues gear.
Not everyone was thrilled with Fynn, however, with one fan posting “that Welcome to Country felt so corporate,” while another said it was “painful and long-winded.”
This year’s Australian Idol winner Wright delivered a country music version of Advance Australia Fair – and it wasn’t well received by many supporters on social media.
“The Blues already lost #Origin because of that anthem,” one NSW fan raged at X.
Savannah Fynn was a head turner when she performed the opener Welcome to Country at the Origin in Sydney on Wednesday evening
Footy fans praised Dylan Wright’s performance when it came to the national anthem
Another wrote: ‘Not a fan of artists putting their spin on the national anthem.
“Either sing it right, or just play Julie Anthony’s recording.”
A third said: “I hate to sound like a boomer but can’t they just sing the national anthem normally?”
‘What is this, the hipster song? Devilish,” said one viewer.
“It could be the worst rendition of the national anthem in recent memory,” another joked.
Fynn spoke with maturity beyond her years as she acknowledged the traditional owners of the land
Fynn acknowledged her Dubbo roots and delighted local fans
Fynn received some support online, with one footy follower calling her ‘amazing’.
“Welcome to the Country beats Anthem by some margin,” said one fan.
“What a wonderful welcome to that young woman’s country!” wrote another.
Another expressed pride in Fynn recognizing her Dubbo roots, a town in the Orana region of NSW.
Blues’ Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i was sent off by referee Ashley Klein after just seven minutes
NSW fans were stunned after Queensland took an early lead in the first half
In a wild opening to the match, veteran hooker Ben Hunt crossed early for the Maroons, only for youngster Reece Walsh to be knocked unconscious after a sickening collision with Joseph Sua’ali’i.
The Blues center – who will play for the Wallabies next year and was a controversial selection in the eyes of many – was sent off by referee Ashley Klein in the seventh minute for direct contact to the head.
Recalled full-back James Tedesco made it 6-6 moments later as the hosts quickly adapted to having 12 men, only for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to then cross for his sixth Origin try in as many games for Billy Slater’s men .
When the Queensland flyer grabbed his second moments later in the 23rd minute, the match was effectively over.