The Australian women's rugby league team, the Jillaroos, have been making headlines at the ongoing Women’s Rugby League World Cup, not only for their dominant on-field performance but also due to a controversy surrounding cultural pride and the national anthem. The team has yet to concede a point in the tournament and is poised to surpass 100 points in their upcoming match against Wales as they pursue another World Cup title.

Despite their strong showing, attention has shifted to several players who chose not to sing the Australian national anthem before matches. Some critics have viewed this as a political protest, while others have condemned the team for displaying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags during their pre-game ceremonies.

Corban Baxter, a former Jillaroos player and 2017 World Cup champion, addressed the issue by emphasizing the importance of cultural representation in sport. She highlighted that allowing players to express pride in their heritage is a significant and positive aspect of their identity. “Those girls are very proud about where they come from and being able to walk out and wear that flag around them means a lot to them,” Baxter said. As a proud Maori woman, she also reflected on her own experiences displaying cultural symbols in sporting contexts.

Baxter expressed disappointment that the anthem controversy has overshadowed the wider achievements of the tournament, particularly the elevation of women’s sport on the international stage. “It is sad because there’s so much good stuff coming out from the World Cup,” she said, citing the strong performances of teams from Fiji, Wales, and England alongside Australia’s own success.

The Jillaroos continue to focus on their campaign, demonstrating on-field dominance while sparking conversations about identity, inclusion, and respect within the sport. As the tournament progresses, the team’s blend of athletic prowess and cultural pride remains a defining feature of their World Cup journey.