NRL legend exposes Kangaroos players' act during national anthem—what’s your take?
- Replies 35
The spirit of national pride and the respect for traditions in sports have long been topics of heated discussion, and once again, they've been thrust into the limelight by none other than NRL legend Mark Carroll.
Speaking on SEN radio, Carroll voiced his disappointment over a sight that left many rugby league fans feeling uneasy.
Several Australian players refrained from singing the national anthem before the Kangaroos' clash with New Zealand in the Pacific Championships.
For many Australians, especially those who have seen the country and its customs evolve over the decades, the national anthem represents a moment of unity and pride.
It's a time-honoured tradition that resonates with the community spirit we hold dear. Carroll, who donned the green and gold jersey in 12 Test matches, reminisced about his own experiences, saying, 'As a kid, I dreamt about playing for Australia. Just to hear that anthem, I was a (big) singer…I watch the anthem now, it disappoints me if the blokes don’t sing it.'
While Carroll's perspective is rooted in a traditional view of representing one's country, the modern sporting landscape has shifted.
The NRL and State of Origin have grown in prominence, arguably overshadowing international football, and with that, the significance of the Kangaroos jersey may have waned for some players.
On the other side of the debate, figures like former Kangaroos and Wallabies player Mat Rogers have come to the defence of players who choose not to sing.
Rogers expressed his indifference to the issue last year, stating, 'I’m over it, like who cares, honestly. It’s an antiquated song made 150 years ago that we’re forcing (them) to sing. If they don’t want to sing it, don’t sing it.'
‘I didn’t sing it every time I played for Australia…But that didn’t mean I wasn’t proud to play for Australia.
‘We’re banging on about stuff that’s just ridiculous, there’s so much more stuff to worry about than someone singing a song, like who cares? If that’s a genuine issue, you’ve got to get more going on in your life.’
The discussion doesn't end with the anthem. The pre-match war cries, a staple of Pacific Islander teams, have also sparked controversy.
The intensity and passion of these performances, such as the Haka (New Zealand), Siva Tau (Samoa), and Sipi Tau (Tonga), are celebrated worldwide.
However, recent incidents involving physical contact during these rituals have prompted questions about respect and sportsmanship.
Corey Parker, another voice in the rugby league community, raised concerns about the appropriateness of contact during these cultural displays.
'I'm all for the war cries, but what happens, hypothetically, if Gordon Chan Kum Tong does that and you give him a good, old-fashioned 'don’t argue, get out of my space type thing?'' Parker questioned.
'Is that disrespectful? Are you supposed to just cop it?'
Carroll, while critical of the Kangaroos' anthem silence, expressed admiration for the pride other nations show in their jersey through these war cries.
'I love the Haka, the Haka is magnificent,' he said. 'I love the intensity and passion of each nation, the Tongans, the Samoans, and the Kiwis, it means so much to them.'
What are your thoughts on the importance of singing the national anthem and the expression of cultural pride in sports? Do you feel that these traditions still hold the same weight they once did, or is it time for a change? Share your views with us in the comments below.
Speaking on SEN radio, Carroll voiced his disappointment over a sight that left many rugby league fans feeling uneasy.
Several Australian players refrained from singing the national anthem before the Kangaroos' clash with New Zealand in the Pacific Championships.
For many Australians, especially those who have seen the country and its customs evolve over the decades, the national anthem represents a moment of unity and pride.
NRL legend Mark Carroll criticised the Kangaroos over their divisive act. Credit: @arlkangaroos / Instagram
It's a time-honoured tradition that resonates with the community spirit we hold dear. Carroll, who donned the green and gold jersey in 12 Test matches, reminisced about his own experiences, saying, 'As a kid, I dreamt about playing for Australia. Just to hear that anthem, I was a (big) singer…I watch the anthem now, it disappoints me if the blokes don’t sing it.'
While Carroll's perspective is rooted in a traditional view of representing one's country, the modern sporting landscape has shifted.
The NRL and State of Origin have grown in prominence, arguably overshadowing international football, and with that, the significance of the Kangaroos jersey may have waned for some players.
On the other side of the debate, figures like former Kangaroos and Wallabies player Mat Rogers have come to the defence of players who choose not to sing.
Rogers expressed his indifference to the issue last year, stating, 'I’m over it, like who cares, honestly. It’s an antiquated song made 150 years ago that we’re forcing (them) to sing. If they don’t want to sing it, don’t sing it.'
‘I didn’t sing it every time I played for Australia…But that didn’t mean I wasn’t proud to play for Australia.
‘We’re banging on about stuff that’s just ridiculous, there’s so much more stuff to worry about than someone singing a song, like who cares? If that’s a genuine issue, you’ve got to get more going on in your life.’
The discussion doesn't end with the anthem. The pre-match war cries, a staple of Pacific Islander teams, have also sparked controversy.
The intensity and passion of these performances, such as the Haka (New Zealand), Siva Tau (Samoa), and Sipi Tau (Tonga), are celebrated worldwide.
However, recent incidents involving physical contact during these rituals have prompted questions about respect and sportsmanship.
Corey Parker, another voice in the rugby league community, raised concerns about the appropriateness of contact during these cultural displays.
'I'm all for the war cries, but what happens, hypothetically, if Gordon Chan Kum Tong does that and you give him a good, old-fashioned 'don’t argue, get out of my space type thing?'' Parker questioned.
'Is that disrespectful? Are you supposed to just cop it?'
Carroll, while critical of the Kangaroos' anthem silence, expressed admiration for the pride other nations show in their jersey through these war cries.
'I love the Haka, the Haka is magnificent,' he said. 'I love the intensity and passion of each nation, the Tongans, the Samoans, and the Kiwis, it means so much to them.'
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