An ABC broadcaster has told critics of Channel 7 reporter Jelisa Apps to “hang your heads”, defending her after a World Cup interview drew widespread criticism.
Aaron Kearney OAM, director of engagement and programs at ABC International Development, mounted a passionate defence of Apps following her post-match exchange with Fiji star Kurt Donoghoe.
Donoghoe had swapped jerseys with an Australian player after Fiji’s 36-22 defeat on Sunday night, meaning he was wearing a green-and-gold shirt when he approached the microphone.
Some viewers claimed Apps had mistaken the Dolphins playmaker for a Kangaroos player. Seven rejected that interpretation, maintaining that she knew who Donoghoe was and which nation he represented throughout the interview.
Kearney said the criticism ignored the demanding circumstances surrounding the interview, as well as Apps’ work supporting emerging journalists in Papua New Guinea.
“Shame on those shaming the Channel 7 reporter for her post-match interview — shockingly including women I thought more of,” he wrote on social media.
Channel 7 reporter Jelisa Apps has received public support after her World Cup interview with Fiji star Kurt Donoghoe, wearing a Kangaroos jersey after the match, sparked online criticism
Donoghoe wore an Australian jersey during the interview after swapping shirts following the match
Apps’ question about the semi-finals prompted some viewers to suggest she had confused Donoghoe’s team
“Yep, she was discombobulated — the subject was wearing the opposition’s shirt, for goodness sake.”
Kearney said Apps had been working in PNG only hours earlier, after spending a week covering players with vastly different profiles and backgrounds in blistering heat.
He suggested she arrived at the late Sunday night assignment after roughly 12 consecutive days of demanding work, while also facing the pressure of delivering tightly timed interviews during a live international broadcast.
“If you haven’t been there — you don’t know,” he wrote.
“It wasn’t her finest moment, but she is a human being and any one of us could — and probably would — be her in the same situation.”
The exchange attracted attention after Apps asked Donoghoe about an upcoming semi-final, even though Fiji still needed to defeat New Zealand to secure a place in that stage.
“It’s going to be a huge arm wrestle against, um, against in the semis, isn’t it?” she asked.
Donoghoe answered by discussing Fiji’s match the following week. Apps then ended the interview by telling him to “go and enjoy it”, despite Fiji’s 36-22 loss to Australia.
ABC broadcaster Aaron Kearney told Apps’ critics to “hang your heads” in a passionate defence
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Reaction online was mixed, with some viewers questioning Apps’ preparation while others acknowledged that the jersey swap had briefly confused them as well.
“Would be good if they knew who the players were and who they play for. More research required by the reporter,” one commenter wrote.
Another offered a different perspective: ‘To be fair to Apps I know who Kurt is and was confused for a minute when he rocked up in a Roos jersey.’
Daily Mail has contacted Apps for comment.
Kearney said there was another side to Apps’ World Cup work that viewers had not seen.
He explained he had been mentoring young PNG journalists through the Women in News and Sports program, which encourages women to pursue careers in sports media.
‘And that Aussie journo you are destroying was bending over backwards to support her PNG sisters (and brothers) in any way she could,’ he wrote.
‘Judge her for that. Then hang your heads.’
Apps is an established sports presenter and journalist, pictured as part of The Agenda Setters team for Channel 7
ABC Pacific presenter and former professional rugby player Sam Wykes added his own account of Apps’ generosity, saying she had approached him after the PNG-Samoa match the previous day.
‘She came up to me after the game and gave me some words of encouragement to keep up the good work,’ he commented.
‘First time meeting her, she didn’t have to do that, and I can’t tell how much it meant to me to hear someone of her calibre say that.’
Veteran sports announcer Glen Hawke also defended Apps, arguing her handling of the exchange demonstrated composure.
‘She went to open questions, let the player talk, kept it respectful and got the segment home,’ he wrote.
‘When the brief falls over, that’s exactly the right call.’
Seven has firmly backed Apps, with its director of sport Chris Jones praising her experience and contribution to the network’s World Cup coverage.
‘Jelisa is one of Australia’s leading rugby league reporters. Having covered the game for more than a decade, she knows the game, the clubs and the players better than anyone,’ Jones said.
‘We’re incredibly proud to have Jelisa as part of Seven’s Rugby League World Cup broadcast team and will be seeing her on many more big matches moving forward.’