Dominic Perrottet makes cheeky quip to Karl Stefanovic over NRL grand final

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has made a cheeky request of Today co-host Karl Stefanovic after the two sparred on live television.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has offered to take Today show co-host on a date to the NRL Grand Final after the pair’s morning spar on the breakfast program.

The cheeky quip came in a tweet on Thursday afternoon following the league’s announcement the big dance would be held in Sydney.

“Hey @karlstefanovic you can also be my date to the Grand Final,” the Premier wrote.

Things earlier became awkward when Stefanovic and Perrottet showed their respective Maroons and Blues colours after the Premier was teased about potentially losing the NRL grand final to Queensland.

The match’s hosting rights remained in doubt after a marathon ARL Commission meeting on Wednesday night couldn’t decide where the game would be played.

Hey @karlstefanovic you can also be my date to the Grand Final https://t.co/e3PEcP32eF

— Dom Perrottet (@Dom_Perrottet) August 18, 2022

Rugby league boss Peter V’landys threatened to pull the match from NSW earlier this year after Mr Perrottet announced he was scrapping an $800m suburban stadium funding plan due to the state’s flood crisis.

Stefanovic was quick to remind Mr Perrottet of NSW’s precarious position as soon as their interview started.

“Looks like you're going to be the NSW Premier who lost the grand final to Queensland. I mean, how embarrassing, Premier,” he cheekily quipped.

But Mr Perrottet initially did not bite and restated his confidence the NRL Grand Final would remain in NSW.

“Well, Karl, the grand final’s always been in NSW, except for last year during Covid. It’s an institution in our state,” he said.

“Obviously, we’ve been in negotiations with the NRL in terms of ensuring the grand final stays in NSW, where it should stay.

“We’ve gone through a very difficult time in our state over the last four years with bushfires, droughts, floods and the pandemic … it’s a priority for me and the government to get people back into homes.

“If that comes at the expense of the grand final, that’s disappointing. That’s a matter for the NRL.”

But Stefanovic slowly chipped away at the Premier’s calm demeanour.

“Sounds like you’re resigned to losing it,” he said.

“You lose the grand final, you’ve lost everything.

Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic wasn’t afraid to tease the NSW Premier about the grand final. Picture: Today show

“What events are in NSW?”

Eventually, Mr Perrottet could take no more and unleashed on Stefanovic, suggesting the presenter should leave NSW for his home state of Queensland.

“Well Karl, I know you're from Queensland. If you think Queensland is so great, you can go back and live there,” he said.

The Premier’s retort got a reaction out of Stefanovic’s co-host, Ali Langdon.

“Now he’s kicking you out of the state,” she exclaimed.

But Stefanovic remained calm and even indicated it could be a good idea.

“I might just have to do that,” he said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet eventually fired back at Stefanovic. Picture: The Today Show

“You are having an absolute Barry Crocker at the moment, you and your government.”

The interview quickly moved on to other issues, but Stefanovic circled back around and landed one more blow before the Premier signed off.

“Good to spar with you about the NRL,” he said

“Look forward to talking to you again when the result is known about it being in Queensland. I will be broadcasting live and exclusively from a better state.”

But Mr Perrottet made sure he had the last laugh.

“We’ll see about that,” he said.

The pair appeared to take their heated exchange in good spirit. Picture: Today show

“Karl, I look forward to coming back on the show following the announcement it’s remaining in NSW.”

Stefanovic continued the banter throughout the show after Mr Perrottet left, calling him a “nasty premier” and saying “I like NSW, just not the government”.

But their heated exchange appeared to be in good spirits, with Mr Perrottet even offering to take Stefanovic on a “date” to see Beauty and the Beast at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre.

Perrottet’s appearance on the Today show on Thursday comes amid a tumultuous time for his government, as it deals with the fallout of the John Barilaro New York trade role scandal, a damning flood inquiry report, strikes from the rail union and allegations of bullying and harassment in NSW parliament.