Sports · Other Sports · 2 hrs ago
Kangaroos players face criticism over how they respond to anthem
Australia’s Kangaroos players have faced online criticism for not singing the national anthem with more passion.
The criticism comes during a wider debate about whether Advance Australia Fair represents modern Australia.
The anthem was written in 1878, and its words “young and free” were changed to “one and free” five years ago, recognising Indigenous history.
People express national pride in different ways, and not singing an anthem does not necessarily mean someone does not love their country.
The Kangaroos beat New Zealand in a World Cup match on Thursday, despite the Kiwis dominating much of the game.
The team’s effort on the field, rather than how players sing, is what should be judged.
A Nine.com.au opinion article defended Kangaroos players criticised for not singing Australia’s national anthem with greater enthusiasm.
The article said players should not be judged by how they express national pride during the anthem.
It argued that the anthem is controversial and that some Australians want it replaced with one that better reflects the country’s multicultural identity.
The author said criticism had included slurs from online trolls.
The article praised the team’s performance in its Thursday night World Cup match against New Zealand, which Australia won.
- Who
- Kangaroos players, who faced criticism over their response to Australia’s national anthem.
- What
- A Nine.com.au opinion article defended the players and criticised online attacks over how they behaved during the anthem.
- When
- The articles were published on 19 and 20 October 2026; the match was described as taking place on Thursday night.
- Where
- The match was against New Zealand; the venue is not stated.
- Why
- Critics objected to the players’ subdued response to the anthem, while the article argued that national pride is personal and the anthem is controversial.
Critics of the Kangaroos players
Nine.com.au commentator defending the players
Players’ anthem response
Critics of the Kangaroos players
Critics chastised the players for not singing the national anthem with the same passion as Pacific Island nations’ players.
Nine.com.au commentator defending the players
The commentator said nobody should dictate how players express national pride.
Meaning of anthem response
Critics of the Kangaroos players
Critics treated the players’ conduct during the anthem as a basis for criticism.
Nine.com.au commentator defending the players
The commentator argued that not loving a song representing Australia is different from not loving the country.
Advance Australia Fair was written, according to the Nine.com.au article.
The words young and free were changed to one and free, according to the article.
Australia defeated New Zealand in a World Cup match, the Nine.com.au article said.
Nine.com.au published its opinion article defending the Kangaroos players.
News.com.au published an article titled Star’s powerful act as anthem furore twists; its text was not provided.
- Anthem
- Advance Australia Fair
- Anthem written
- 1878
- Anthem wording change
- young and free changed to one and free five years before the article
- Match opponent
- New Zealand
- Match result
- Australia won
- Published
- Nine.com.au, 19 October 2026