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'Never felt more proud of our anthem' - reactions to 'special moment' in the history of Australian sport
By Online Editors
Before their final test match of the year, the Wallabies made history by becoming the first Australian team to perform an Indigenous anthem at an international sporting event.
Newtown High School of the Performing Arts student, Olivia Fox, led an incredible rendition of Advance Australia Fair, which was sung in Eora language.
But the Wallabies themselves also turned heads, as the 23-players selected in the matchday squad paid their respects by singing it word-for-word as well. It has been revealed by captain Michael Hooper that the team had been practising the anthem all week.
“We were practising during the week and our guys were – there was never a question – proud to have the opportunity to do it,” Hooper said.
“Wearing an Indigenous jersey and singing that in Aboriginal and then English, it was great and it was great to be a part of.”
By wearing their First Nations jersey as well, the historic rendition will go down in history as a landmark moment in Australian sporting history.
The anthem has largely been met with support, with people on Twitter calling for it to become a permanent part of Australian international sport, if not for the country as a whole.
Former Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau was one of many people to express their support for the combination of an Indigenous and English version of Advance Australia Fair, describing it as a "special moment in Australian sport."
As for the match that followed, the Wallabies were held to their third draw in six matches after going down to 14-men.
A red card to replacement second-rower Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the 60th minute had the hosts well and truly on the back foot, trailing by four at the time. But a try to captain Michael Hooper with 13-minutes to play meant that it was anyone’s game, with the scores locked at 16-all.
Fullback Reece Hodge had a chance to win the match for his side in the dying stages, but in tough, slippery conditions at Paramatta’s Bankwest Stadium, he wasn’t able to convert the difficult kick.
The draw sees the Wallabies finish the Tri Nations with a win, a loss and two draws. While they finished equal on competition points with the Pumas, points difference saw the tournament's hosts finish last.
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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