Anthony Mundine Slams Indigenous Version Of National Anthem Sung At Wallabies Match

Anthony Mundine has criticised the singing of the national anthem in Eora language at the Wallabies' game against Argentina.

It was the first time an Indigenous national anthem was used at an international sporting event involving an Australian team.

Despite much of the country praising Wiradjuri teenager Olivia Fox and the Australian players singing the first verse of 'Advance Australia Fair' in an Indigenous language, Mundine - who himself is indigenous - said changing the language doesn't change the sentiment behind the controversial anthem.

The former boxer said the anthem is a 'theme song for the White Australia policy'.

"For me, bro, how can I put it? It's like kicking someone when they're down," Mundine told News Corp.

"The message of the anthem is wrong. It was putting salt into the wound for Aboriginal men.

"If they want to change things then actually change the words of the anthem. But you can't just sing the same original text in Aboriginal language and think it's going to fly with people.

"[The Wallabies' rendition] got people talking but it still ain't the right message. It looks good and sounded good when the Wallabies sang it and it looks like they're giving back - but they're not really giving back.

"The original anthem is racially driven from its inception and now they want to do it in Aboriginal language - two wrongs don't make it right. The anthem is the theme song for the white Australian policy."

He wasn't the only sportsman to blast the move, with NRL player Latrell Mitchell also slamming the move in a now-deleted post.

"When will people understand that changing it to language doesn't change the meaning!" the South Sydney Rabbitohs player posted on Instagram on Saturday.

"Be proud but understand what you're being proud of. I stand for us, our mob! Be proud of the oldest living culture. Always was, always will be."

However, Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said the players were proud to become the first sporting team to sing the Indigenous version of the anthem.

"We were practising during the week and our guys were - there was never a question - proud to have the opportunity to do it," Hooper said.

"I think it sounded pretty good, too. Wearing an Indigenous jersey and singing that in Aboriginal and then English, it was great and it was great to be a part of."

Topics: Australia

Jessica Lynch

@jesskalynch