LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Rugby league legend Johnathan Thurston has defended his fellow players who chose not to sing the national anthem, following comments from former Test captain Max Krilich.
Thurston believes that players have the right to make their own choices about whether or not to sing Advance Australia Fair before representative matches.
This issue has been a point of contention for some Indigenous players in the past, with many opting not to sing the anthem.
Other players have cited emotional reasons or a focus on the game ahead as their reasons for not singing.
Over the weekend, several Australian players, including Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas, and Selwyn Cobbo, remained silent during the anthem before the game against Samoa, reigniting the debate.
Krilich expressed his offense, stating that players who refuse to sing the anthem should be overlooked for selection.
However, Thurston disagrees, pointing out that the Australian Rugby League Commission made the decision not to play the national anthem before the All Stars game on the Gold Coast in 2020 after consulting with Indigenous players.
Thurston believes that with the recent referendum result, this issue should not be a cause for concern.
He added, "I know that the Indigenous All Stars didn't sing the anthem and didn't want the anthem played in those games at the start of the year, and that was a decision that they made as a collective group."
Thurston's defense of the players who choose not to sing the national anthem highlights the importance of respecting individual choices and recognizing the diversity within the rugby league community.