LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston has defended players who chose not to sing the national anthem, stating that everyone has the right to make their own decisions.
Former Test captain Max Krilich had called for Kangaroos stars to be overlooked if they didn't sing the anthem.
This issue has been a point of contention for some Indigenous players in the past, with many opting not to sing Advance Australia Fair before representative matches.
Other players have cited being too emotional or focused on the game at hand to participate in singing the anthem.
Over the weekend, several Australian players, including Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas, and Selwyn Cobbo, remained silent during the anthem before the game against Samoa.
Krilich expressed his offense at this, stating, "If you don't want to sing the anthem, then don't play for the Kangaroos.
It embarrasses me when they stand there staring like stunned mullets during the national anthem."
However, Thurston believes that this should not be an issue, especially after the referendum result on Saturday.
He pointed out that the Indigenous All Stars team had made a collective decision not to sing the anthem earlier this year, and that decision should be respected.
Thurston referenced the Australian Rugby League Commission's decision in 2020 to not play the national anthem before the All Stars game on the Gold Coast after consulting with Indigenous players.
In conclusion, Thurston supports the autonomy of players to choose whether or not to participate in singing the national anthem.
He believes that such decisions should be respected, particularly in light of the Indigenous All Stars' previous stance on the matter.