LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The national anthem debate has sparked an angry backlash in Australia, with Kangaroos players caught in the midst of the controversy.
During the recent Pacific Championship Test in Townsville, several Australian players chose to remain silent as Advance Australia Fair was sung.
This stark contrast to the passionate embrace of their anthem by rivals Samoa did not go unnoticed by fans.
In response, veteran broadcaster Peter Peters has called on coach Mal Meninga to overlook players who refuse to sing the national anthem.
Peters believes that players should be paying tribute to the country they are representing and expressed his frustration at seeing players stay silent during the anthem.
He was particularly moved by Samoa's pre-game ritual, which included a powerful war dance and emotional anthem rendition.
Peters emphasized the significance of these rituals for the Samoan team, stating that it was a crucial part of them representing their country.
He urged Meninga to take a strong stance and make it clear to the players that singing the national anthem with pride is a fundamental part of playing for Australia.
This debate has ignited strong reactions from fans and has highlighted the differing approaches to national anthems in international rugby league.
It remains to be seen how Meninga and the Australian Rugby League will address this issue and whether any changes will be made to the selection process for the national team.