NRL called out after not mentioning New Zealand in Anzac Day post on social media

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The NRL have come under fire on social media over two missing words in an Anzac Day post.

In the lead up to ANZAC Round kicking off on Thursday afternoon, the league uploaded a 40 second video to their official X account.

Watch 3 NRL games back-to-back, LIVE and ad break free in play on Kayo this Anzac Day. New to Kayo? Start your Free trial today >

But social media users took issue with the caption that was posted alongside the video and the two words they had overlooked.

“In Round 8 of the Telstra Premiership, the game will have the opportunity to honour and commemorate the generations of Australian servicemen and women who have defended our values and freedoms, in wars, conflicts and peace operations.

“ANZAC Round: recognsing resilience & unity.”

The post, uploaded on Tuesday, has been viewed of 41,000 times and received close to 50 comments with almost every user pointing out the fact the NRL forgot to mention New Zealand.

Sky Sports commentator Jason Costigan: “Can’t believe NRL failed to mention the New Zealanders. After all, it is #AnzacDay this week! We all make mistakes but this must be called out! Remember, New Zealand has been part of Australia’s premier #RugbyLeague competition for almost three decades!”

One user replied: “You may wish to take a minute and reflect on what ANZAC stands for. What it’s an abbreviation of. And then – as a competition with a team from New Zealand – look at what’s missing from your post.”

A second wrote: “It’s actually Anzac Day- Let’s honour Australian and New Zealand men and women who sacrificed much for our country.”

A third added: “Delete this post and recognise our friends across the Tasman.”

A fourth wrote: “Let’s also remember that New Zealand is half of our ANZAC legacy and spirit.”

News.com.au has contacted the NRL in relation to the post and subsequent backlash

The post continued to draw backlash just days after another aspect surrounding Anzac Day was called into question by Triple M’s Greg “Marto” Martin.

Martin put the NRL and AFL in the spotlight for turning The Last Post into a “gimmick” in a radio segment earlier in the week.

The sombre bugle call, which is synonymous with Australia and New Zealand’s Anzac Day tradition, has been used for decades to show respect to the countless soldiers who died serving their nations.

Martin said the annual spectacle at the MCG for the Anzac Day clash between Essendon and Collingwood was “spine tingling”, but insisted viewers would be getting “bugle fatigue” after an entire round.

“What’s going to happen this week in all eight games of the AFL and all eight games of the rugby league… every single one of them will play this [The Last Post] and you’ll get ANZAC – you’ll get bugle fatigue,” he said.

“We have to stop it somewhere.”

Co-host Margaux Parker said The Last Post was in danger of “losing its value”

“It gets saturated, so it loses it’s value.”

“They all think they are doing the right thing, but all they are doing is turning it into a mockery.”

Three games of rugby league are set to be played on Thursday with the New Zealand Warriors kicking off proceedings against the Gold Coast Titans in Auckland. The St George Illawarra Dragons will then go up against the Sydney Roosters in Sydney before the Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs close out they day at AAMI Park in Melbourne.

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