The Wallabies have ruled out taking a knee during the national anthem in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in next Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney after a unanimous vote by the players.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said the idea was discussed in their team camp in the NSW Hunter Valley and the team voted against becoming the first Australian team to do so.
The Wallabies will wear a First Nations jersey against New Zealand on October 31 in Sydney, with Dane Haylett-Petty asked this week whether taking a knee was something the Wallabies would consider doing on home soil.
The veteran fullback said his belief was that it would “be a great thing for us to do” and that the player group would discuss it.
Wallaby great Nick Farr-Jones said the team shouldn’t, describing it as a “divisive move”.
Rennie knocked it on the head during a teleconference on Friday.
“We won’t,” Rennie said.
“The key thing is that this is about honouring our Indigenous people and we want the focus to be on that.
“Everyone has got their own opinions around the other situation but we want the focus to be around reflecting on our history and our past.
“Our focus is around the First Nations people and the Indigenous jersey; we’re not looking to make a political statement.”
He said the coaching and management group talked with the team leaders, who then met with the rest of the team and it was a “unanimous decision”.
Rennie said the group wanted to see the Indigenous part of the Australian culture represented in the regular gold Wallabies jersey, not just as a one-off.
“What we’re trying to highlight is that First Nations is part of our DNA and that needs to be reflected and that needs to be each game not just one or two times a year.
“We think having that reflected on our Test jersey every week is really important.”
Rugby Australia interim Chief Executive Rob Clarke released a statement condemning racism.
“Rugby Australia and the Wallabies condemn any form of racism or discrimination and also acknowledge that we are still on the path to reconciliation,” Clarke said.
“The First Nations jersey is a strong statement in itself. It has a truly global impact in raising awareness and in recognising the issues facing First Nations people. Rugby Australia and the Wallabies are incredibly proud to wear it, what it means and who it represents.
“I’m really pleased the players and management have come together to speak about this, as they would with other important social issues. It was measured, appropriate and mature and I congratulate the team as they explore more opportunities to recognise issues facing First Nations people and all Australians.”
Patron of Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team and former Wallaby Gary Ella added his support.
“The Wallabies First Nations jersey is a proud celebration of Aboriginal culture; the longest surviving culture on earth,” Ella said.
“Wearing the jersey is an act of reconciliation and a reminder that Rugby is an inclusive sport for all people to participate in.
“I support the Wallabies in their decision and it’s important that we continue discussions about race and remind ourselves that reconciliation is not just one act but millions of small ones that serves to heal all Australians,”