Channel Nine has been slammed for their opener during the State of Origin on Wednesday night.

Ahead of kick-off on Wednesday night, local elder Karl Telfer – a Kaurna man from the Adelaide Plains – welcomed fans to the region.

The issues arose when Channel Nine commentators started talking over the top of the ceremony before it had finished.

Cameras also cut away from the welcoming and missed the end.

When Telfer finished speaking, he started to play the didgeridoo as a traditional dance began.

Viewers at home never saw it though as the coverage cut to an interview between Karl Stefanovic and Andrew Johns.

“The locals are certainly loving it here at the Adelaide Oval,” Channel Nine host James Bracey said over the top of the ceremony.

“The atmosphere certainly is building and we are moments away from kick-off. Karl, you’re with Joey.”

Former AFL star Tony Armstrong sparked fury against the network on social media.

“Channel 9 just started commentating over the Welcome to Country. Cool cool cool,” Armstrong tweeted.

“You won’t believe it. We made it to the end of the anthem.”

Sports reporter Adam Peacock wrote: “Welcome to Country should be before Anthem with both teams out there.”

While Avani Dias of Triple J also wrote: “I clocked about 20 seconds of the Welcome to Country before they cut to the commentators.

“Interesting decision considering the anthem debacle”.

“Not the first time @NRLonNine has talked over or cut off a Welcome to Country,” another person added.

“Total lack of respect”