'Incredibly special': Wallabies jersey gets new twist with permanent First Nations design

wise move me friend.

dunno...lockdowns?

I brace for the backlash....but I am really tired of the use of the word "nations" in this context. It's a north American concept that does not apply in this case. If you seriously want to compare Souix and Pitjantjarra...go right ahead. But you would be incorrect. I have lived and worked throughout Australia, so I think I might understand. People sure, nations, no. The jerseys are a great idea of course.

sorry... honest mistake

Yeah don't think John Williamson would be too happy about being confused for Rolf

piru, you talk like a child, I suspect it suits you! Suit yourself

piru, you talk like a child, I suspect it suits you!

Twiggy has a long record of involvement with Aboriginal communities, wouldn't surprise me at all if he's cooking something up

piru – so you add pedant to your qualifications do you? Let's just say your repeated personal insults put me in a less tolerant mood than normal. If you want to play nice, we can do so

It strikes me that you have no idea about the strength of the European culture and the numbers who died to create it, You seem very determined to paint me as ill informed, could I ask that you at least do me the courtesy of not assuming I don't know what I'm talking about? I do generally try to avoid making statements of fact unless I know them to be true - if I'm offering an opinion I will try to mark it as such. "European culture" is a very broad subject, I freely admit I'm not an expert, but I would challenged the notion I have 'no idea'. Therein lies the problem – who’s job is to a large degree dependant on familiarity and sensitivity to aboriginal cultures. In Africa there is a growing understanding that people who are ‘propping them up’ are the largest part of the problem. Not disagreeing, but I'm hardly 'propping them up' as a prison officer, my safety and that of my colleagues and charges requires a level of understanding of their situation. I was simply replying to your previous accusation that I don't know what I'm talking about. Again, I admit I'm not an expert, but I learn what I can

I don’t care about my own culture let alone anyone else’s What you say Dave is very true ....if you care about your own culture you also will find it very hard not to care about the culture of others. It starts with identifying what I call the spice of society: the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular group of people or society that you belong to. If you don't feel you belong to a culture you won't care about that or any other culture.

Piru, spot on. The thought that all First Nation people owned the whole of Australia is wrong. Maybe this map of Aboriginal Australia will help. https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/map-indigenous-australia

Thanks Mick - I think most would agree. Can you suggest ways to do that which can be executed - they dont exactly have alot of cash to spend, but perhaps there are other ways that could work? I understand there is an 'Ella Academy' - does that have any traction?

Symbols are important - and this is a good one. But symbols come to reflect the actions that a group takes. So this needs to be backed up with action - It's another extremely difficult task for the ARU - but they need to follow up with some authentic actions - otherwise this is just a hollow marketing ploy. I hope its not.

Dave, I do appreciate the way you ask the question. Thank you. First Nations People who I am not one, but have lived in communities, are the same as most people. They love, argue, hate and, fight like every other culture. But from my studies and interactions from an early age, I have come to learn about their methods of dealing with life. The need to be grounded, to have an ancient past where parents and older people can speak of times past with messages for life or parables. To have a history and understanding of the connection to the land we live in. Like something, we pass through with a respectful touch. There is a hierarchy within the community/mob and understandings. We have the same although I believe it is confused by political and self-interest beliefs. One of the most honest accounts in history is the Gov Macquarie diaries that are online at the Mitchell Library. Besides all the issues of managing a new settlement in a country, they had no knowledge other than confidence that they were always going in the right direction. Macquarie writes at length about his dismay with how the interaction between whites and natives. Sense of values/worth could never be reconciled. The best example is with sheep. breeding Marino sheep to a settler was worth more than gold if they could create a herd for the first nations people it was just a slow kangaroo and an easy meal. Settlers fenced to the waterline of rivers and had ideas of land parcel ownership. The first nations people thought the land was plenty to share and they would only take from it what they need. In hindsight, it's clear to see the problems and Macquarie had many concerns over this. I can go on for hours, but I feel it moves far from a game of rugby. However, in my humble view of little power the culture is exciting, stories are wondrous!

Maori. No "e" in it mate

Same thing is happening here in QLD, they don't go into the Aboriginal communities to sign players so the League teams do. Because they offer transport and meal programs which Is great. But it means the next Kurtley Beale or Jonathon Thurston plays league and hardly gets to represent their country.

The only one who shafted Beale was that idiot Cheika who kept playing him when he was clearly crap

That's really awesome. Great to see and I hope it is appreciated with the intent that is made with

No , John Williamson is touring Australia currently , you id ee ot.