Johnathan Thurston defends Kangaroos players who didn’t sing the anthem, Pacific Championships, news

Rugby league great Johnathan Thurston says players have every right not to sing the national anthem after former Test captain Max Krilich called for Kangaroos stars to be overlooked if they don’t do not sing the national anthem.

The national anthem has been an issue for some Indigenous players in the past, with a number opting not to sing Advance Australia Fair before representative matches.

Other players have described being too emotional or too focused on the task ahead of them to sing the anthem, with the issue returning to headlines this weekend after several Australian players, including Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas and Selwyn Cobbo, remained silent before the match against Samoa. .

Krilich was clearly offended, saying: “If you don’t want to sing the anthem, then don’t play for the Kangaroos.” It bothers me when they stand there staring like stunned mules during the national anthem.

The Australian Rugby League Commission decided in 2020 not to play the national anthem before the All Stars match on the Gold Coast after discussions with Indigenous players, and Thurston doesn’t think that should be an issue now , especially after what happened with the referendum. result Saturday.

“I know the Indigenous All Stars did not sing the anthem and did not want the anthem played at those matches earlier in the year, and that was a decision they made as as a collective group,” he said.

“I don’t know exactly which players didn’t sing the anthem this time, but it’s their belief and their personal decision.

“Just as the nation voted in the referendum, they are also allowed to do whatever they want.

“Even though you might not like it, it’s their decision.”

Speaking at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame event in Sydney on Monday, Thurston praised the Kangaroos after their victory over Samoa to open the Pacific Championships, but admitted they should be much better when they take on the New Zealand in Melbourne later this month.

The Australians came out of the blocks with four tries in the opening 15 minutes thanks to huge runs from starting props Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who both crashed over as the Kangaroos threatened to set up a cricket score.

But things slowed down after that, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scoring either side of half-time before Staggs capped his strong debut with a try in the final minute.

Thurston liked what he saw and was confident things would only improve with more training sessions, but he wanted to see a little more of the spine against a hungry New Zealand team who has the talent to upset Australia.

“They will definitely have to take it to another level against the Kiwis because they almost beat us at the World Cup last year and they will be looking for revenge,” he said.

“Spine just needs to combine a little better and take advantage of the lead they got from Payne and Tino which were huge.

“I thought it was a really good performance from the boys in the middle which created space for the spine to do its job.

“Ultimately it was dominant, but they will look to capitalize on that.

“The Kangaroos are in good hands with the next generation coming through. »