Kangaroos stars have been torched by NRL commentators over footage of some players appearing not to sing the national anthem.
One day after some Jillaroos players were also publicly criticised for appearing not to sing the national anthem, the sight of Kangaroos players, including Latrell Mitchell, appearing not to sing the anthem has angered figures in the sport.
An emotional Reece Walsh appeared to be in tears as Advance Australia Fair was played before the Rugby League World Cup opener against New Zealand on Thursday in Sydney — but other members of the team were noticeably less boisterous.
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Mitchell, Bradman Best and Keaon Koloamatangi appeared to have their mouths closed as a Channel 7 camera swept past players as the anthem was sung.
Veteran rugby league broadcaster Peter “Zorba” Peters took aim at the silent players when speaking on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast Weekend on Sunday.
“Don’t you hate it when players, men and women, don’t sing the national anthem,” the veteran media figure told weekend hosts Dean Ritchie and Ray Thomas.
“I’m strong about this. I know I’ll be ridiculed, but I don’t care. I want a coach that’s strong enough. I want a game that’s strong enough that says, ‘If you don’t sing the national anthem in our colours, you don’t play’.
“I don’t care who you are. You could be the best player in the game. If you don’t sing the national anthem like it’s been sung before by payers wearing the green and gold.
“We are a disgrace and the women are just as bad as the men. In fact, I counted a few more of them that had their lips just sealed. It’s wrong and it shouldn’t happen.
“The Kiwis, hand on their heart as they sing. The Tongans. The Samoans. The Poms proudly sing God Save the King. It’s ridiculous. And it’s not good enough. And we should do something about it instead of talking about it.”
He went on to say: “I don’t want to play with a player who doesn’t sing. If I was ever good enough, and I wasn’t. To sing the national anthem on a big stage like the World Cup. If my teammate next to me, I know what John O’Neill (rugby league hall of fame enforcer) would have done.
“I know what Malcolm Reilly (English legend) would have done to the Poms. Put one right on their chin.”
Leading rugby league journalist Ritchie earlier said: “No one can tell anyone whether they sing the anthem or not, it’s their individual choice.
“But if you stand there representing your country and you don’t want to sing that anthem, I don’t know what the hell would make you so anti-patriotic.
“It makes me sick in the stomach. It makes me sick in the stomach that they can’t sing their anthem.”
Nobody could say it about Walsh. The Broncos fullback vomitted after making a match-saving tackle as he covered more ground on the field than any other player.
Walsh admitted the occasion was emotional for him as he thought about members of his family see him in person for the first time representing his country.
“Even thinking about it now, just thinking of my old man, my mum and dad, and having my family there (is special),” he said.
“It’s the first time that they’re watching me put on the Aussie jersey.
“We got letters through the week from our families and I was going to open it at training, but coach said ‘don’t do that, wait until you get back in your room’.
“Sitting there reading the letter and seeing how proud they are of me and how far I’ve come and talking about all our family and friends helping us get to this point (got to me).
“I couldn’t see them in the crowd there. I was looking for them, and then when I spotted them, the emotions started coming out.
“I was just happy that I got to share it with my family. I had my daughter there, my mum and dad were in the stands. It’s probably one of the proudest moments for myself.
“I’m a bit of a sook. I cry over movies and shows, so when moments like these come up, I’m one of those ones that wants to try and soak it in as much as you can.
“Sometimes it’s good to let your emotions out and show a bit of passion and a bit of care.”
Meanwhile, members of the Jillaroos were the target of trolls on social media the day after the team’s tournament opening win over Samoa.
Posts shared by the official Jillaroos page and the official Rugby League World Cup page on Instagram and Facebook have had messages hidden or deleted.
Some posts have been littered with trolling comments criticising some players for appearing not to sing the anthem.
One clip of the pre-game moment has been circling across cyberspace this weekend.
The clip was first shared by Australian media and politics commentator Sean Masters on X.
“Can someone tell Australian athletes how important it is to all sing the National Anthem, so we’re all one, together, as a country, united, not divided,” he posted.
The post has ben liked more than 1000 times on X.
Australian journalist Ryan Dally responded by writing: “If you refuse to sing the Australian national anthem, then don’t wear the jersey”.
Originally published as ‘We are a disgrace’: Kangaroos players torched in ugly national anthem storm