“Wiray Ngiyang Wiray Mayiny.” That’s the Wiradjuri translation of “no language, no people”.
This Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, the NRL will feature another edition of the All Stars match when the Indigenous All Stars take on the Maori All Stars, returning to the ground where the modern concept began in 2010.
It’s the second year the two teams will be competing against each other, although they’ve met at various times in the past under different formats, with the Maori All Stars looking for revenge after losing to the Indigenous side last year in Melbourne 34-14.
Each year, unfortunately, a lot of people get caught up in the politics and debate of issues that the All Stars game bring up, but for those that think it’s nothing but a glorified trial game, it’s a lot more than that.
I was raised by my great grandmother, a Wiradjuri elder and Aboriginal activist, and grew up in Wellington, New South Wales, a town with a rich Indigenous history and a strong connection to the Wiradjuri nation.
What the All Stars game represents to me is a showcase of that tribe and the many different countries that make up Aboriginal Australia. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the culture, the land, the language, the diversity of the traditional custodians, while also promoting positive initiatives such as Deadly Choices.
The Indigenous All Stars is a continuation of a legacy that dates back to 1973 when the first Australian Aboriginal team formed and won seven of nine matches in ten days, but it goes back even before that with the long history of the Redfern All Blacks.
Wearing the Indigenous jersey is more than wearing a strip for a modern concept, it’s wearing a symbol of pride and acknowledging the history that Aboriginal men and women have contributed to rugby league throughout the decades. It’s also representing one of the oldest continuous cultures.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
It’s celebrating the greats such as Arthur Beetson and Johnathan Thurston, players like Matty Bowen, John ‘Chicka’ Ferguson, David Peachey and Preston Campbell, the man responsible for the revival of the side, among many more. It’s also showing appreciation to the lesser known names.
Those that have dedicated their lives to country rugby league, like my great uncle, who was the chairman of the Wellington Cowboys up until his death. It’s a thank you to all in administration that go out of their way to make the Koori Knockout and the Murri Carnival a success. It’s a thank you to the nurses, the doctors and everyone involved in the Aboriginal medical centres that continue to work on improving the overall health of our people.
Most importantly it’s a game of hope. For some of the players in the line-up this Saturday, their paths in life could’ve gone very differently. Rugby league gave them a way to escape the negativity that can come from small town Australia and because of that, these players have become role models and examples to other Indigenous kids that aspire to play in the NRL.
I remember myself being a kid in Wellington with the dream of being like Preston Campbell, but the dream seemed too impossible, something I could never achieve. Now there are kids growing up in the same town, and despite the issues that plague it, there’s a real sense of hope because they’ve seen people like Blake Ferguson, Brent Naden and Kotoni Staggs set their minds towards a goal and work hard to achieve it. They prove that the dream is possible.
Many people in Wellington will be tuning in and cheering on their hometown hero, Blake Ferguson, but also Tyrone Peachey, Josh Addo-Carr and Jack Wighton, three men that have strong ties to the town. The game itself should be once again an exciting, fast-paced battle with an emphasis on attacking footy, which highlights the natural ability of the Indigenous and Maori talent.
At the end of the day, though, it doesn’t necessarily matter who wins. Both sides will give it their all, but the immense respect that will be shown by the two cultures is what makes it worthwhile. The coming together of Maori and First Nations Australia and the positivity that will be taken into the communities in the lead-up to game is a reason why it’s an important date on the calendar.
I’ll be tuning in on Saturday wearing my Deadly Choice Indigenous jersey, taking a moment to be thankful to the medical services that have helped me with my health. I’ll take a moment to think about my great grandmother, an Indigenous elder that raised me as a child when nobody else would. I’ll think about my roots to Wiradjuri and my family and elders that have paved the way for me to be where I am now.
It’s more than a pre-season trial game for me. It’s a game that pays respect to a part of me that might seem little to some, but is a big part of my identity.
GoGWS
Roar Guru
OK I’ll take the bait... probably the most exciting player in the AFL at the moment is Buddy Franklin and he’s indigenous. And there’s a host of other exciting aboriginal players that are drawn from all over the country. It’s not a contest but it’s not accurate to say “no so much in AFL”.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Well at least that reply was recent. One of your replies yesterday went back to April 2019! I've often commented that Polynesians don't care for AFL, but really love league - don't think that's a secret - almost half of NRL players are of PI origin. Don't see what that has to do with my post, but appreciate the interest you show in them.
UKRL
Roar Rookie
Hey clipper why can’t AFL get a Maori team? Oh that’s right. Islanders and Kiwis don’t care for AFL :laughing:
clipper
Roar Rookie
As I've posted elsewhere, in Great Britian, they have a Wales vs England or Scotland vs Northern Island - they don't have non Indigenous games either.
clipper
Roar Rookie
It was quite a different relationship - the Maori had a pretty good relationship at the start, it was only later when they started getting taken advantage of that they asked for the crown to step in with the Treaty of Waitangi - the Aborigines never had a chance to get that far.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
The Indigenous team are very lucky to have Laurie Daley as their coach; I have not met a better bloke in our sport. I told him that his team should have played in the Perth Nines. On the anthem thing. Surely someone can do a re-write and modify the lyrics to suit everyone. After all, our current anthem is sick compared to NZ, the USA and France. Let's just produce a new one altogether! Moving forward when we have an International event there are no winners when 100% of the team are not chiming in.
Gerg
Roar Rookie
@Spruce Moose I have been reading the roar forum for a few years, but your comment pushed me to join to say. Thanks mate, that is the most intelligent comment i have read on this topic
Jacko
Guest
Watch it 3 times JK...I wont bother with it
Jacko
Guest
Yeah when is the non Indigenous Aussie's v the non Indigenous Kiwi's game on?...I wont bother watching it but its because its a nothing game...nothing to do with an anthem being played or sung...just a preseason game all hyped up by the NRL to get cash
Jaydem Martin
Roar Rookie
Completely agree. I love the idea of one day having a Central NSW team in the NRL.
Jaydem Martin
Roar Rookie
You're right about the convicts being treated poorly, but they were treated poorly because they were convicts. Their sacrifices shouldn't be forgotten though. Aboriginals were treated poorly due to the colour of their skin. Colonisation is inevitable, but everything post colonisation in my opinion could have been handled better. If you get the chance read a bit about Charlie Perkins and the 1965 Freedom Rides. Poor living conditions and discrimination was still happening well into the 70s and the impact of the effects post colonisation can still be felt today. I don't have an issue with people singing the National Anthem, it doesn't evoke emotion out of me, but if it's an anthem that you or someone else is genuinely passionate about then I can respect that. Personally I'd prefer a new National Anthem, but I don't think it's the right time for a new one yet. Keep the current one and play it before test matches, State of Origin, the GF, etc. If people want to sing then they should be respected to do so and if people don't want to sing it then they should be respected too.
Nick
Roar Guru
Deep down?
Greysy
Roar Rookie
My guess would be that deep down his main issue has to do with them being aboriginal...
Greysy
Roar Rookie
I see all these guest accounts attacking Spruce Moose with basically the same right wing lines. My guess is you're all the one person. How sad. Also "Glenn", trying to school someone on their knowledge of history by telling them to go watch a movie/TV show is pretty laughable. Read a book mate. Also your argument is wrong.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Oh good, another guest account here to fight the culture wars.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
The same parallel universe as left wing academics... sigh. Go read a book sunshine. We know from Japanese army/navy records that they had no intention of invading Australia because they couldn't spare the soldiers required to guard the frontier against the Soviets along the Manchukuo Border as well as attacking the Chinese and British India (which were much more important strategic prizes). Australia was no real prize and not regarded as worth it - the Japanese knew if they took New Guinea it would be isolated and that would be enough, invasion wasn't necessary. History isn't some dumb emotional culture war, try arguing based on evidence. Also you're original post is real weird. This is a sports website.
TIGER
Roar Rookie
Hi Jaydem, I'm very happy for you that this game represents so much for you. Yes you are correct in saying that it draws in political discussions. History tells us of the oppression your people endured but let us not forget that our country was populated with convicts who were also treated poorly. Also let me add that history tells us that most countries have been invaded and conquered and I don't think that has always worked out well for the original inhabitants. I have no issue with not playing the National Anthem as this is an Indigenous Game. At other times we should be allowed to stand and sing as we choose because it's a personal expression of how I feel not how anyone else feels. The issue of changing the anthem with words more inclusive of your culture is fine by me but I haven't heard any suggestions yet. Perhaps you have some thoughts.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Terrific article, they all talk about expansion and a second brisbane team. Central NSW could raise a pretty fair team, home games in Dubbo, Wellington and Orange on a rotating basis and farm a few out to Scully in Tamworth and Mudgee, the cricket pitch in Coonamble might be a bit hard to cover up for a game. Let's get the footy back to the bush and celebrate the fantastic players that come from these areas
Steve Franklin
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the compliment of genius, but the thing you don't know about me is i am part aboriginal and i always sing the anthem when i need to cause i am still an Australian now whose the classy one .
mushi
Roar Guru
Yeah Barry, I think when we respect a countries song more than the challenges facing the people of that country is supposed to partially represent we've lost our way somewhere. Whilst there are umpteen references today to “better” ways to advocate for change I see no actual mention of them. Change has been advocated for my entire lifetime, but little has happened, I can see from the perspective of the aboriginal community that they don’t see a history of respect from the Commonwealth of Australia but they need to respect a song? If a completely peaceful protest gets the discussion into an unavoidable position, then I think that’s a pretty good outcome for democracy and freedom. Afterall all they’re doing is not doing something. They’re not breaking out into a different song decrying Australia and denying others enjoyment of the anthem.