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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Angus Fontaine

Wallabies rediscover their character before stepping into Brisbane cauldron

Dave Rennie England Nick Frost Taniela Tupou
Pete Samu, Izaia Perese, Kurtley Beale and Tom Wright are welcomed with a traditional smoking ceremony at the Wallabies Indigenous Jersey launch at Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre ahead of the second test against England on July 9.
Pete Samu, Izaia Perese, Kurtley Beale and Tom Wright are welcomed with a traditional smoking ceremony at the Wallabies Indigenous Jersey launch at Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre ahead of the second test against England on July 9. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Before every Test former Australian captain John Eales used to lock eyes with a supporter in the crowd and proudly sing the national anthem with them as a reminder of a Wallaby’s responsibility to fans. On Saturday Michael Hooper’s side will seek the eyes of Phillipa McDermott, daughter of Uncle Lloyd McDermott, the first Wallabies player to identify as a First Nations man.

Wearing jerseys designed by Kamilaroi-Gamilaraay man Dennis Golding to depict the dreaming of the 14 Indigenous Wallabies so far, they will then sing the national anthem in Yugambeh language. And if the moment is anywhere near as spine-tingling as in 2020 when the Wallabies performed the anthem in Eora at Parramatta Stadium with soloist Olivia Fox, the fuse will light on a very special night indeed.

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