‘Have to practice’: Wallaroos set to sing national anthem in Indigenous language

The Wallaroos will wear their First Nations jersey against the Black Ferns, and sing the national anthem in the Yugambeh language – representing one of the local Indigenous peoples.

For the second time in as many Test matches, New Zealand-born playmaker Carys Dallinger is working hard off the field to learn another national anthem.

Dallinger has been named to start at flyhalf in the Wallaroos’ “nerve-wracking” Pacific Four and O’Reilly Cup openers against the Black Ferns this week.

Like many of her countrymen and women, Dallinger grew up dreaming of that black jersey.

The prospect of one day playing for the Black Ferns fuelled the young No. 10, who starred for Hurricanes Poua in Super Rugby Aupiki. But things have worked a little bit differently.

Dallinger, 23, will play in a Black Ferns Test match on Thursday at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium in Queensland, but it won’t be for the reigning Rugby World Cup champions.

After making her international debut last month for the Wallaroos, Dallinger is – at least on the rugby field – an Aussie.

“Quite nerve-wracking but also really excited at the same time,” Dallinger told RugbyPass, as reported earlier this week.

“There’s a lot of mixed emotions because a lot of them are my friends and I’ve grown up playing with them.

“You’ve got to play the best to be the best so I’m excited for that challenge.

“Just fortunate enough to be picked for the Wallaroos and give this a go… international footy is the goal at the end of the day.

“I always just had an inkling that I was going to end up in Aussie.

“You’re sort of tied to New Zealand chasing that black jersey dream, then just a few setbacks and Aussie has been calling my name for a long time.

“I always knew I was going to end up here, I wasn’t sure if it was going to be playing rugby, I just happened to fall into his quite fortunately and here we are riding the wave.”

Chasing her “goal” of playing international rugby, Dallinger could’ve lined up for three traditional heavyweights of the sport.

Of course, Dallinger could’ve played for the Black Ferns – the rising star was born in Rotorua. But the 23-year-old was also eligible for Australia and England.

Dallinger impressed in the No. 10 jersey for eventual runners-up the Queensland Reds in Super W this season, which clearly caught the attention of Wallaroos selectors.

The Kiwi was preparing to return to New Zealand when her flights were put on hold

An international call-up beckoned.

After officially joining the Australian national team, the hard work didn’t stop – both on the field and off it.

While Dallinger looked cool, calm and collected during an inter-squad opposed session on the Gold Coast last week, the young playmaker opened up about a challenge she faced on debut.

“Trying to get the national anthem right was one,” Dallinger said while laughing. “There was a lot of pressure on that one, a few giggles from the sidelines.”

Now, ahead of Test number two, Dallinger is having to learn another one.

“There’s a lot of banter going around about me learning the Australian National Anthem and practising it the night before the game.

“Finally got that national anthem down and then I got word that we are learning the Indigenous national anthem and have to practice that one.

“I’ll be practising that one for the game.”

The Wallaroos host world champions New Zealand in a highly anticipated trans-Tasman clash at Kayo Stadium north of Brisbane, Queensland, on Thursday evening.