The Australian national anthem won't be played at this month's NRL All Stars match, with the ARL Commission voting to leave it out of the formalities.
Having been a talking point in rugby league since last year's All Stars clash at AAMI Park, the Commission met on Thursday and opted to scrap the anthem from the February 22 clash.
Late last year, Gold Coast prop Ryan James called for the game to take action on the matter and those calls have been heard.
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ALRC Chairman Peter V’landys said it was an important role of the Commission to listen and consult with all players on issues that impact both the game and individuals.
“The All Stars game was created as a celebration of Indigenous players and their culture,” Mr V’landys said.
“We have listened to our players’ concerns that the words of the anthem do not represent them or their families and does not include an acknowledgement of First Nations people.
"We respect their wishes and have agreed that the anthem will not be played at the All Stars match on February 22.”
Indigenous All Stars skipper Cody Walker was vocal in his opposition to the anthem being played last year, with his teammates joining him in not singing.
Walker, who won't be a part of the 2020 fixture with injury, said he didn't think the words represented himself or his family.
The Souths playmaker also led some of his Indigenous NSW teammates in not singing the anthem during last season's State of Origin opener.
And while Walker won't line up to face the Maori All Stars, his new Rabbitohs teammate Latrell Mitchell will.
Mitchell is proud of his Indigenous heritage and recently shared a photo to his Instagram featuring him in an Aboriginal flag T-shirt.
Having sorted his club future with a move to the Bunnies, Mitchell is set to get his first run at his preferred position of fullback in the All Stars clash.
The 22-year-old will feature in a star-studded backline for Laurie Daley's side, though they are a bit light on in the front row.
Injuries to James and a lack of fitness for Andrew Fifita will force Daley into a reshuffle, though the coach is confident of finding a workaround.
"Ideally you want a couple of front-rowers," Daley said on Big Sports Breakfast.
"You don’t want to be going into these games with back-rowers playing front row, but if that’s what we have got to do then we will do it."
