Rugby league great Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll has branded Australian players ‘ridiculous’ for not singing the national anthem, but suggested Australia may need an anthem that more people feel proud to sing.
Before kick-off at the Rugby League World Cup opener on October 15, several Kangaroos and Jillaroos players appeared not to sing the anthem.
As the camera panned across the team, Latrell Mitchell, Bradman Best and Keaon Koloamatangi were among the Australian players who appeared to remain silent.
Carroll, one of the toughest players to take to a rugby league field, told the Daily Mail that having some players sing while others remained silent looked wrong.
‘I’m saying it looks ridiculous,’ he said on Friday, though he added players can make their own decisions.
‘I always dreamed about playing for my country and also to sing.’
Several Kangaroos appeared not to sing Advance Australia Fair in the lead-up to their clash with New Zealand at the Rugby League World Cup opener on October 15. Pictured Bradman Best and Keaon Koloamatangi centre had their heads bowed but did not appear to sing
Rugby league great Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll (pictured with his daughter) branded the silent players ‘ridiculous’
The Jillaroos, including Tamika Upton and Millie Elliott (pictured) also came under scrutiny after several players appeared not to sing Advance Australia Fair
Carroll also questioned whether Australia should have a different anthem that would bring people together and encourage more people to sing.
‘My stance is maybe you wanna sing, you’re singing,’ he said.
‘But I just think, if you don’t wanna sing, we need to have an anthem that everyone in Australia is so proud to sing.
‘I just love singing it because I always used to do the harmony on it, of all things.’
The former prop, who now performs in a musical duo, conceded that the choice belongs to each player.
‘It’s been a bit of a blow-up in the media. Everyone’s got an opinion. It’s their decision,’ he said.
Following the match, former Manly player Peter ‘Zorba’ Peters called for players who refuse to sing to be banned from representing Australia.
‘Don’t you hate it when players, men and women, don’t sing the national anthem,’ he told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast Weekend on Sunday.
Laurie Daley revealed he never sang the anthem during his Australian playing career
Carroll has called for a national anthem every Australian feels proud to sing
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Should Aussie athletes be required to sing the anthem, or is national pride shown in other ways?
‘I know I’ll be ridiculed, but I don’t care. I want a coach that’s strong enough. I want a game that’s strong enough that says, “If you don’t sing the national anthem in our colours, you don’t play”.’
According to a recent news.com.au poll of more than 13,000 respondents, approximately three-quarters said all Australian athletes should sing the anthem loud and proud.
Less than 20 per cent said it should be up to the individual player whether to sing or not. Five per cent said the current anthem is the problem.
Former Australian captain Laurie Daley admitted he never sang the anthem during his international career following the media firestorm this week.
He said his silence was a personal preference and had nothing to do with a lack of pride in his country.
‘Why do you have to sing the anthem to feel passionate about your country?’ Daley said on Sky Sports Radio.
‘I never sang the anthem. I just didn’t want to sing, but that doesn’t make me not proud of Australia.’
Kangaroos star Cameron Munster also defended the team’s pride in representing Australia following their opening win over New Zealand.
‘We’re very proud to wear the green and gold. It’s something that we pride ourselves on,’ he said.
