‘We had nothing’: Tongan Thor’s broadside at silent crowds sparks Waltzing Matilda call

Taniela Tupou expressed his frustration at silent Aussie rugby crowds, declaring the Wallabies must bring back our unofficial anthem to make Australian rugby competitive again.

Taniela Tupou has launched a broadside at silent Aussie rugby crowds, declaring the Wallabies must bring Waltzing Matilda back to give the team an important boost.

Tupou recalled being blown away by the power of Ireland’s call when he faced the Irish on home soil in 2018 and expressed frustration that Australian rugby fans had no answer.

The Tongan Thor said it was time that Waltzing Matilda, famously sung by John Williamson and 104,000 attendees at ANZ Stadium before a Bledisloe Cup classic in 2000, returned to Aussie sidelines.

“I would love to (bring it back),” Tupou said from Townsville ahead of the Queensland Reds season opener on Saturday.

“I watch the old games where the fans are singing the song and it was good because everybody was in it.

John Williamson stands in front of the Wallabies team to perform Waltzing Matilda prior to Bledisloe Cup match against All Blacks in 2000

“I remember when we played Ireland four years ago and the fans here in Australia were singing Ireland’s call and we had nothing. Australia had nothing, because we can’t sing [Advance Australia Fair].

“I think we should bring Waltzing Matilda back because that’s our second anthem.”

Fringe Wallabies prop Harry Hoopert echoed Tupou’s call.

“I don’t think players would go against it, they would love it,” Hoopert added.

“Any sort of Aussie culture is great so yeah, bring it back.

“I remember hearing it back at Suncorp when I was a young pup and I remember singing it with a little joey, so yeah, bring it back.”

The unofficial anthem has only been heard on rare occasions since it was banned by World Rugby ahead of the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Waltzing Matilda fell victim to a blanket rule that only official national songs may be performed before international fixtures.

The New Zealand haka avoided that fate on cultural grounds, creating a loophole that Wallabies players are determined Rugby Australia should explore considering the anthem’s cultural significance.

The New Zealand haka was deemed culturally significant while Waltzing Matilda was not. Picture: Getty Images

And while official sing-a-longs like Williamson’s remain banned, nothing prevents fans from singing of their own accord.

“It would be good for us knowing that our fans are behind us,” Tupou said.

“When you hear an Australian song while you’re playing you know everyone is behind us and it will give us an extra boost to win the game.”

The calls come as Queensland’s flagship rugby union team arrived in North Queensland ahead of a Round 1 showdown with the Hurricanes on Saturday, February 25.

Townsville mayor Jenny Hill urged North Queensland fans to fulfil Wallabies coach Eddie Jones’ wish that rugby fans sellout stadiums across the country in a statement of the game’s true health.

“We are (getting behind Eddie’s call),” Hill said.

“We want everyone from North Queensland to come on out and buy a ticket. The tickets aren’t that dear. Sit in the crowd and cheer the Reds on.”