'Part of who we are': Kangaroos eager to lead Indigenous progress

Kangaroos star Cameron Murray has expressed his desire for the Australian team to unite the nation by celebrating Indigenous heroes and raising awareness of the continued struggles First Nations peoples face.

The national rugby league team has long been at the forefront of progress for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with Arthur Beetson the first Indigenous person to captain an Australian sports team when he led the side out in 1973.

This year's National Reconciliation Week has provided an opportunity for the rugby league world to come together to discuss the sport's role moving forward. 

The 2025 theme of 'Bridging Now to Next' is based around using past lessons to guide a path forward and Murray said the Kangaroos can play a key role in that process.

"When we play for the Kangaroos we're representing the whole of Australia, which includes our Indigenous history," Murray told NRL.com. "It's a big part of who we are and who we play for. 

"It can always be better and a big part of that is education around Indigenous culture and getting people to understand it is something we can continue getting better at. 

"Celebrating Indigenous culture and putting it on a platform by making it a part of who we are will directly contribute to closing the gap. Celebrating it and having role models like the Kangaroos showing that we're standing up for equality for everyone is a good way forward.

"Positive role models within the community have such a big impact on people so we have a responsibility to use our platform."

Murray attended a Yarning Circle for NRL staff run by former Eels star Dean Widders during National Reconciliation Week, with the pair discussing the importance of celebrating culture and educating communities to help bring groups together. 

Widders grew up idolising Beetson and had the chance to live with his hero when the former Australian skipper recruited him to the Roosters. 

The experience set the foundation for Widders to become a leading Indigenous voice and he played a key role in the establishment of the NRL's first Reconciliation Action Plan in 2008. 

The retired player is now the Indigenous Programs Manager at the NRL and is focused on providing opportunities for emerging players to play rugby league. 

Widders is proud to follow in Beetson's footsteps and said the sport has a responsibility to honour his legacy by leading discussions around Indigenous issues. 

"Arthur stood for so much in the game and his influence was so great," Widders said. "His legacy has been left behind for us all to try and make a difference. That's something he would proudly look at and feel good about. 

"The game has impact. It's got fans that follow the game and with everything we stand for in the game there's a real desire to learn and connect more to the things we stand up for in the game. The impact we have and the responsibility we have is great."

Murray turned out for the Kangaroos in the opening two games of last year's Pacific Championships however he has endured a torrid run with injuries since. 

A wrist injury suffered in the win over New Zealand ruled him out of the Pacific Cup final, before he ruptured his Achilles in February. The Rabbitohs lock remains optimistic of his chances of returning to the field later this season and recently emerged from a walking boot.

Both Murray and Widders agree the Kangaroos should play a key part in leading discussions around Indigenous issues. 

Murray has felt firsthand the changing landscape of international rugby league, with Jason Taumalolo's decision to represent Tonga in 2017 triggering the rise of the Pacific Island nations. 

The forward turned out for his nation in front of a sold-out CommBank Stadium in last year's Pacific Championships final, with the crowd heavily tilted in Tonga's favour.

While embracing the support for Polynesian cultures, Murray is eager to see similar passion from Australian fans for the Kangaroos and is hopeful Indigenous culture could be a uniting force. 

A number of ideas have been floated in the past, with Indigenous war cries and unity dances under consideration. While there are challenges to be overcome before they can be implemented, the Jillaroos have led the charge by walking on to the field carrying the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islands flags. 

Widders is confident First Nations culture will continue to play a greater role in the Kangaroos set up and views it as a vital way to facilitate wider social progress.

"Indigenous culture should play a big part in the future of the Kangaroos," Widders said. "Culture plays a big part in the international game for every nation now. 

"It's why a lot of players are choosing to play for their home countries. We need to bring culture to the forefront of what we do in the Kangaroos and Indigenous culture can play a part similar to the Maori culture in New Zealand. 

"The key to it is to educate and to connect people. That's what we've got to work hard to do and there's a bit of a journey to go."