Ash Barty sighting blowing minds as secret meeting explained

The mystery behind a secret meeting between Ash Barty and some of the greatest champions Australian sport has known has been explained.

Tyson Otto

@tottodtsport

4 min read

March 4, 2024 - 12:36PM

Kia releases star-studded Australian commercial for new ute

An ad featuring some of the greatest sporting champions Australia has known is getting people talking.

It’s exactly what car giant Kia would want after splurging what must have been a small fortune to assemble 20 Aussie icons to spruik the Korean manufacturer’s new ute.

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The ad has certainly struck a chord with Aussie viewers who have been sharing the video across social media since the so-called “Super Bowl” ad debuted during the NRL’s Las Vegas double-header on Sunday.

As first reported by News Corp the ad was filmed over three days at a Bondi Junction pub in Sydney in January.

Mystery swirled about the secret gathering of sporting A-listers when Ash Barty, John Aloisi and Damien Oliver were photographed coming and going from the watering hole.

Steve Waugh as seen in Kia’s new campaign.

MacKenzie Arnold earned her spot among the other greats.

The mystery was solved on Sunday — and the explanation was more insane than most fans could have comprehended.

There were plenty of stand-out acting performances among the group — but Barty’s appearance may have been the best of the lot.

The premise of the ad is simple — getting all the Aussie legends together to argue over the name that should be given to Kia’s new product.

It’s rumoured the new ute will be called the Kia Tasman — but the sight of Barty and her colleagues fighting for the naming rights will certainly endear the product to Aussies.

Former Aussie Test captain Steve Waugh is the first to claim the rights.

“Should be called the Kia Tugger, he says of his iconic nickname.

Lance Franklin pops up next like a gunslinger resting on the wall of any old-school Hollywood western.

“I don’t remember you kicking 1000 (goals),” he says.

“The Kia Buddy.”

Socceroos legend John Aloisi, who famously slotted the penalty goal that ended Australia’s World Cup drought, is the next.

Ash Barty needed to build a bigger trophy cupboard.

“If you want a name that really qualifies, surely the Kia Aloisi,” he says.

Matildas cult hero Mackenzie Arnold, affectionately promoted to the role as Australia’s minister for defence, has a strong claim.

“Keep your shirt on John. The Kia Macka might be a bit more contemporary,” she says with a mock smile.

Aussie UFC world champion Alexander Volkanovski steps up and lands a heavy left hand jab on a punching machine.

“Na, the Volk’s got a nice ring to it,” he says.

Code hopper Wendell Sailor also pops up.

“If it’s rings they’re after, surely the Big Dell,” he says.

Next it’s Barty’s time to shine — showing off her adorably flat acting skills.

“Yeah, it’s like a big silver trophy,” she says at the ad cuts to a scene looking inside a cluttered trophy cupboard.

Barty is the owner of a Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for her victory at the 2022 Australian Open. Barty also owns the most prestigious trophy in tennis — the Venus Rosewater Dish — for her victory at Wimbledon.

Lance Franklin has a fair claim.

There’s only one David Boon.

Asked later in the ad why she won the trophy, Barty says, ‘It was a couple weeks’ work’.

Dylan Alcott has a casual cameo, referencing his status as the 2023 Australian of the Year.

Broncos legends Darren Lockyer and Allan Langer put up their cases, while, Hawthorn icon Dermott Brereton makes a hilarious cameo cutting through the bar crowd holding up his dinner tray.

Scott Sattler also makes one of the funniest cameos re-telling his iconic tackle in the 2003 NRL Grand Final using the boards on a pool table.

Kia Australia General Manager Marketing Dean Norbiato said that the inspiration for the advert came from the Aussie tradition of everyone having a nickname.

“We were looking for a unique and quintessentially Aussie way to launch Kia’s most Australian product ever – our ute – and what better way than to bring together our country’s most iconic themes – sporting heroes, nicknames and an old-fashioned Aussie watering hole,” Norbiato said.

Viewers will have to be quick to spot the 20 athletes involved.

Athletes featuring in Kia's new ad campaign

Adam Reynolds – Brisbane Broncos Club Captain and premiership winner

Alexander Volkanovski – UFC legend and former featherweight champion

Alfie Langer – Rugby league legend and four-time premiership winner