Wallabies consider taking a knee in support of Black Lives Matter

‘American BS!’ Backlash fury as Wallabies consider taking a knee in support of Black Lives Matter during national anthem

  • Discussions are ongoing for Wallabies to consider the silent protest statement
  • Players may take a knee ahead of Bledisloe Cup Test on October 31 in Sydney
  • Test versus All Blacks will also see Australia don new Indigenous-designed jersey

The Wallabies have been slammed on social media after it was announced they could become the first Australian national sporting team to formally support the global Black Lives Matter movement. 

Dave Rennie’s squad are contemplating the silent protest statement during the national anthem moments before the third Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks on October 31 in Sydney.

The Wallabies will also be kitted out in their new Indigenous-designed jersey in the trans-Tasman clash versus New Zealand.

The potential silent protest divided Twitter on Thursday morning, with a number of listeners of the Ben Fordham show tweeting their displeasure on his page.

The Wallabies (pictured above) could be the first Australian national sporting team to formally support the Black Lives Matter movement

The potential move from the Wallabies (pictured above) drew plenty of criticism on Twitter

The potential move from the Wallabies (pictured above) drew plenty of criticism on Twitter

One Twitter user Andrew said ‘take a knee and I’m out’, with another tweeting it was an example of ‘American BS infecting the rest of the world.’

Wallabies utility back Dane Haylett-Petty believes the bold move would be a ‘great show of support’ to the global cause. 

‘It’s great that sport has an amazing opportunity to have a say and join conversations, a lot of sports have done that and it would be a great thing for us to do,’ he told The Australian.

‘I obviously can’t speak for everyone but I think as a group we would definitely consider it.’

In recent months, athletes in the NBA, European football and English Super League have taken a knee pre-game in their respective sports in a show of unity.   

Speaking on Ben Fordham Live, Warren Mundine, the former head of the Indigenous Advisory Council, said politics and sports shouldn’t intertwine.

‘I think it’s (BLM) a stupid idea quite frankly,’ he said.

‘People are getting a bit sick and tired of sportspeople telling us how we should be acting.’

Former Wallabies captain Nick Farr-Jones agreed the statement would be a divisive move.

‘To take the risk of splitting the support… just don’t do it guys, it’s too risky.’