Two of Australia's biggest indigenous athletes have hit out over the Wallabies' stirring rendition of 'Advance Australia Fair' before their Tri Nations clash against Argentina.
Teen Olivia Fox led the players in a spine-tingling version of the Australian national anthem - the first time it had been sung in both Eora and English at an international sporting event in Australia.
Fox's performance was praised by former indigenous Wallabies Kurtley Beale and Glen Ella, but NRL star Latrell Mitchell and former boxer Anthony Mundine have both criticised the performance.
On social media, Mitchell says singing the anthem in the Eora language "doesn't change the meaning", while Mundine says the decision to do it in both was like "kicking someone when they’re down".
Last year Mitchell was among several State of Origin stars who refused to sing 'Advance Australia Fair' before the opening game.
Mitchell didn't play in this year's Origin series, but the anthem protests from players continued.
Mundine has told the Daily Telegraph the original version of the anthem, first performed in 1878, is racist.
"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.
"It 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 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."
Mitchell has been a long-time critic of the Australian anthem and has singled out the words "young and free" as being completely flawed.
"When will people understand that changing it to language doesn't change the meaning!" he writes on Instagram.
"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."
Indigenous rugby league legends Steve Renouf says he understands where both Mitchell and Mundine are coming from, but feels it's a step in the right direction.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ella thinks they should look at making it permanent, similar to the New Zealand anthem, which is sung in Māori and English.
"I think the national anthem in the language is fantastic," says Ella. "I’ve heard it many times now and it gives you goosebumps up the back of your neck.
"Then to follow it up with the English version is fantastic.
"If you look at some of the other national anthems [like New Zealand], they start off Māori and they go into their English version. I reckon you do the Aboriginal version and then follow it with the English version."
The Wallabies wore indigenous jerseys for the match, which ended in a 16-16 draw, and told how Fox had helped the players learn the anthem in the Eora language during the week.
"We were practising it during the week and we were very proud to have that opportunity to do it, and I think it sounded pretty good too," says captain Michael Hooper.
"Wearing an indigenous jersey and singing that was great to be a part of."
But Hooper was non-committal, when asked if he would like the Eora part of the anthem to be sung at every Wallabies match.
