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Opinion

NRL All Stars a cause for celebration, not polarisation

Roar Guru
17th February, 2020
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Roar Guru
17th February, 2020
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The NRL All Stars double-header returns to Robina Stadium on the Gold Coast this Saturday night, with the women’s and men’s Indigenous All Stars taking on the Maori All Stars.

In what is supposed to be a celebration of Indigenous and Maori players, their culture and their contributions to the game of rugby league, the marquee exhibition match has been subject to heated debate on social media after the ARL Commission decided to scrap the singing of the Australian national anthem after several key Indigenous players expressed concern that it does not include and acknowledgement of First Nations people and its words do not represent them or their families.

The national anthem debate has polarised rugby league fans after a number of players refused to sing the anthem before last year’s All Stars clash, with the issue again highlighted before the State of Origin series when key players like Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker decided to stand silently when the anthem was played.

We live in a time when high-profile sports and sporting athletes will use their platform to speak openly with fans to express their values, talk about their political beliefs and try to make a difference in the world.

NRL All Stars

(Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Some fans might think they should keep their opinions to themselves and stick to playing sport while others believe it’s an opportunity to generate discussion about the many challenges and issues we face as a community. Either way, sporting events like the NRL All Stars is what should bring us together, not create divisiveness.

For the sake of the game let’s focus on what the concept is all about and the star-studded line-ups that will take the field this Saturday night in what is certain to be two entertaining games.

Watch as the players perform their traditional war cry and haka before the game. Marvel at the skills of Latrell Mitchell and Kalyn Ponga. Don’t blink when speedsters Josh Addo-Carr and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak are in full flight. Feast on the battle up front as David Fifita takes on Jesse Bromwich.

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And for the women, we have internationals Tallisha Harden and Shakiah Tungai, who will lead the Indigenous, while Krystal Rota and Raecene McGregor will line-up for the Maori.

There’s nothing wrong with the All Stars event being used to raise concerns about the national anthem that should be part of a national conversation, but let’s not allow differences of opinions on the subject spoil what will be two great games of rugby league.

In a show of unity the Maori All Stars will not sing their national anthem, which includes both Maori and English lyrics, before the game as well.

Representing their culture and heritage means so much to the players, and as we’ve seen over the past decade, there are very few games on the rugby league calendar that are played with such passion and enthusiasm as the All Stars clash.

The All Stars concept was created in 2010 with the Indigenous All Stars team defeating opponents the NRL All Stars 16-10 on the Gold Coast. The match was full with many of the game’s best players, including Preston Campbell and Johnathan Thurston for the Indigenous All Stars, while the NRL All Stars boasted the likes Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith.

In 2019 the concept was revamped to include the New Zealand Maori. Last year’s All Stars fixtures saw the men’s Indigenous side get up over the Maori 34-14, while the Maori women’s team got the win over the Indigenous 8-4 at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

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