Eddie Jones' surprise phone call sums up indigenous anthem's impact

Social media exploded on Saturday night during the historic Wallabies anthem - not that Gary Ella knew. The historic moment dawned on him during a surprise phone call. 

The Australian anthem performed before tonight's Wallabies v Pumas rugby Test at Bankwest Stadium was sung in indigenous language.

Australian rugby legend Gary Ella doesn’t do social media so he had no idea that the Wallabies and Sydney schoolgirl Olivia Fox were trending around the world after singing the national anthem in both Aboriginal and English language.

Ella had seen Saturday’s stunning performance himself and was beaming with pride at hearing the Eora language used for Advance Australia Fair before the kick-off for the Wallabies catch with Argentina.

One of Australia’s greatest indigenous rugby players - and part of the famed Ella brothers who changed the game forever with their silky skills - he knew it was a big moment, but hadn’t grasped just how massive it was until his phone rang, with an overseas number on it.

It was Eddie Jones, Ella’s old schoolmate, now coaching England.

He was calling from London after he’d just seen it on television and wanted to say well done.

Ella’s phone never stopped ringing after that.

He received messages from people all over the rugby playing world. When he checked his emails on Sunday morning, his inbox was full.

“The response has been incredible,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

“Olivia’s performance was great. She’s got a great voice and a great presence about her and I’m just so proud about the whole event.

“The thing that really stood out for me was that the players had actually taken the time to learn the words and were singing along to it and then the reaction from the crowd afterwards was just fantastic.”

Ella has been heavily involved in Rugby Australia’s First Nation programs. He’s one of the driving forces behind the indigenous Wallabies jersey and the Welcome to Country and also the pathways programs for identifying and nurturing more talented indigenous players.

But he said none of those programs had triggered as much positive reaction as the anthem, which he hopes will not only become a permanent feature of Wallabies Tests but could one day be formally incorporated into how the national anthem is sung.

“The conversation has already started about changing some of the words within the anthem and some of the politicians have agreed to have a look at it,” he said.

“Well, while they’re at it they may look to see that it’s sung in Aboriginal language as well.”

The Australian anthem performed before the Wallabies versus Pumas rugby Test at Bankwest Stadium was sung in indigenous language.

The Wallabies players were only told that the anthem was going to be sung in both languages five days before the match. Asked if they wanted to learn the words so they could singalong, they didn’t hesitate.

“It was never a question for our guys, we were very proud to do it and I think it sounded pretty good too,” Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said.

“Wearing an indigenous jersey and singing that - Aboriginal and then English - it was great to be a part of.“

Wallabies five-eighth James O’Connor said he and his teammates spent days memorising the lyrics to make sure they got them right on the night.

“We feel like it’s a huge part of our history and our culture and we want to represent Aboriginal people,” he said.

“They’re one of the oldest civilisations and it’s a part of us.”

Absolutely fantastic: every Wallabies player sung the first half of the national anthem in Indigenous language. Learned the words. Paid respect. A great step forward 🔴🟡⚫️ #AUSvARG pic.twitter.com/Efy91gIRt7

— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) December 5, 2020

Wonderful to hear our national anthem sung in First Nations language tonight ⁦@BankwestStadium⁩ ⁦@wallabies⁩ v ⁦@lospumas⁩ pic.twitter.com/YRkOMv2j5S

— Sally Loane (@LoaneSally) December 5, 2020

That was very special @RugbyAU historic evening in Sydney as Olivia Fox,from Newtown High School of Performing Arts,sang the Australian National Anthem in Eora language & then in English, joined by the @wallabies wearing their First Nations jersey #AUSvARG #TriNations2020 #rugby pic.twitter.com/MBJRfzMTKe

— sam mostyn (@sammostyn) December 5, 2020