Rugby: Michael Cheika butchers pronunciation of player's name

Super Rugby players have been providing a guide to properly pronounce their names this week but it seems Australia coach Michael Cheika didn't get the memo.

New Zealand Rugby posted a video earlier this week called Say My Name to help celebrate cultural diversity but also give a number of players the chance to finally correct fans or commentators who've been mispronouncing their names.

Among them was Crusaders prop Michael Alaalatoa, whose brother Allan has been named in the Wallabies squad to face Ireland starting next weekend.

While announcing the team Cheika mispronounced the Brumbies prop's name.

All the New Zealand teams have released pronunciation guides.

New Zealand Rugby Head of Professional Rugby Chris Lendrum said: "This week we're taking a small step in celebrating how varied and different our back stories might be.

"All five Super Rugby teams are made up of players from a broad and rich range of backgrounds not just in terms of ethnic and cultural background. Each club has its own regional and fan community with distinct characteristics that set them apart from all other clubs.

"Players from each of the clubs have been sharing with us and their fans exactly how their names should be pronounced – and they've also shared some of the most common mistakes when people mispronounce.

"Players, and many of their families have told us, that it's okay to get it wrong, but they applaud people for making a real effort to get it right," he said.