Esteemed rugby legend, Johnathan Thurston, backs the players’ right to choose whether to sing the national anthem or not, a stance voiced in response to former Test captain Max Krilich’s controversial remark that Kangaroo stars refusing to participate in singing the anthem should be overlooked.
The national anthem of Australia, Advance Australia Fair, indeed has been a subject of contention among some Indigenous players, who in the past have refrained from singing it before pivotal representative matches. There are others, too, who confess of being too emotionally overwhelmed or steeped in concentrating on the impending game to partake in the anthem singing ritual – an issue that re-emerged in spotlight following a silent weekend recently. During the game against Samoa, Australian players; Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas and Selwyn Cobbo, remained voiceless.
Those muted moments seemed to have afflicted Krilich profoundly, leading him to remark, “When players stand inert during the national anthem, acting like dazed mullets, it embarrasses me. If they don’t want to sing the anthem, then they shouldn’t play for the Kangaroos.”
Last year, the Australian Rugby League Commission elected not to play the anthem before the All Stars game held on the Gold Coast, a decision made after consultation with Indigenous players. Thurston, who is himself of Indigenous descent, does not believe the issue should be contentious, especially with the backdrop of the recent Saturday’s referendum result.
He emphasised, “Earlier this year, the Indigenous All Stars made a collective decision not to sing the anthem and refrain from having it played during their games. Players choosing not to sing the anthem are merely exercising their individual beliefs and personal decisions. Just as the nation had a say in the referendum, players too, have the right to their choices.”
Jump to Monday in Sydney, where at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame event, Thurston lauded the Kangaroos for their victorious stride over Samoa at the opening of the Pacific Championships. However, he warned of the critical challenges ahead as they move to face New Zealand in Melbourne later this month.
The Australian team showcased a strong start, scoring four tries in the first 15 minutes of the game. Accomplished props, Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, led the charge, overwhelming Samoa with their unstoppable power play. However, the momentum slackened post this early show of strength, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scoring on either side of halftime, eventually leading to Staggs concluding a notable debut with a final minute scored try.
Lauding the team’s performance, Thurston expressed optimism towards continual improvement with more training sessions. Nonetheless, he insisted there is a need for better coordination amongst the team, especially with the universal Kiwi talent looming ahead.
“They’ll surely need to elevate their game when confronting the Kiwis who nearly outdid us at last year’s World Cup and are seeking redemption,” he remarked in conclusion. “Our boys exhibited a commanding performance through the middle, now the spine just needs to unite better and play intensively off the go-forward momentum generated by Payne and Tino. Although our performance held sway in the end, the Kangaroos would need to build and capitalize on this. The next generation of Kangaroos seems well-prepared to carry the ball forward.”
