Kangaroos players discussed the idea while in camp for last Friday night’s ANZAC Test and there is strong support for the Australian team performing a pre-game dance for the first time in 50 years.
Momentum for the Kangaroos to adapt the Unity Dance devised and performed by indigenous players before the NRL’s annual All Stars has been building since a record six Aboriginal players represented Australia in the 2015 ANZAC Test.
With Fifita and centre Will Chambers recalled to join Johnathan Thurston, Sam Thaiday and Blake Ferguson in the Australian team for last Friday night’s, 30 per cent – or five - of the 17-man squad were indigenous.
If all of the players agree, the Kangaroos are expected to perform the pre-game dance before the opening World Cup match against England in Melbourne on October 27.
“It is acknowledging the First People of this country, it is acknowledging our people and to see other Australians do it would be a massive honour, especially on the world stage in the World Cup.”
Fifita was speaking ahead of this weekend’s NRL Indigenous Round in which he and his Cronulla team-mates will wear a special jersey designed by Sutherland Shire elder Aunty Deanna Schreiber that incorporates the local totem – a whale – on the front.
For the first time, all 16 NRL clubs will wear indigenous jerseys in the same round, - some of which were designed by players, such as Newcastle’s Dane Gagai and Jaelen Feeney.
“A lot of passion went into it and everything in this jersey has got a purpose,” Gagai said. “There’s Jaelen’s family totem, which is the goanna, and mine is the shovel-nosed shark.
“Before we designed the jersey Jaelen went and got permission from all the land councils around Newcastle and they are represented by six meeting places on the back.
“We also put the southern cross to represent all Australians because you don’t have to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to be proud of wearing this jersey.”
The Queensland State of Origin centre, who will come under strong consideration for inclusion in Australia’s 24-man World Cup squad, said that it would be a significant step in the reconciliation process if the Kangaroos were to perform the Unity Dance.
“It is something we have bought into the All Stars game and we all wore our hearts on our sleeve when we did it,” Gagai said.
“I think it is time that we start embracing the culture that this country has because it is one of the oldest and proudest cultures in the world, and that is something we should be showcasing.”
St George Illawarra forward Joel Thompson said he had been in awe of the Pacific nations while watching them perform their war dances before last Saturday night’s international triple-header at Campbelltown.
“I think it would be special, not just for the players but for the community if the Kangaroos were to do it at the World Cup,” Thompson said.
With 12 per cent of NRL players having indigenous heritage, the game has a strong relationship with the Aboriginal community and this weekend’s round will also celebrate two significant moments in Australian history:
· The 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum to enable states and territories to make laws in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and include them in the census; and.
· The 25th anniversary to the 1992 Mabo decision in the High Court that recognised native title for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Rugby League has been a leader in support and inclusion for all people over many years and the game benefits greatly from the participation and engagement levels of Indigenous communities,” ARL Indigenous Council chairwoman Linda Burney said.
By Brad Walter | @BradWalterSport
Chief Correspondent, RLWC2017