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'It brings us together': Karl Stefanovic says he 'loves' the national anthem and praises the NRL for reversing decision to ban it from the State of Origin - but not everyone on Today agrees with him

Karl Stefanovic has endorsed the national anthem after the NRL backtracked on its controversial decision to ban the singing of Advance Australia Fair at State of Origin. 

The call to scrap the anthem came after an Australian Rugby League Commission commission meeting on Wednesday night with league officials from New South Wales and Queensland.

But after the move upset fans, including Prime Minister Scott Morrison, ARLC Chairman Peter V'landys overturned the decision.

On Friday morning, Stefanovic asked sports presenter Alex Cullen whether he 'liked' the national anthem.

Last year's series was dominated by the national anthem when Indigenous Blues trio Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Carr spoke out before the game about their refusal to sing

Last year's series was dominated by the national anthem when Indigenous Blues trio Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Carr spoke out before the game about their refusal to sing 

Cullen said: 'It needs improving Karl. I like the anthem, I like singing it but it needs improving'.

But the pair were in agreement that the anthem should be sung at the Origin.   

Stefanovic said: 'I like it, it brings us together'.

'We've had such a divided year. I like it, I love it.'    

Barely two hours after the decision was announced to axe the anthem from the pre-match ceremony, the ARLC chairman Peter V'landys bowed to a backlash and reinstated it.

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said there had been discussions across various forums in the short time after the decision was made public, while pressure also came from Mr Morrison.

Karl Stefanovic has endorsed the national anthem after the NRL backtracked on its controversial decision to ban the singing of Advance Australia Fair at the State of Origin

Karl Stefanovic has endorsed the national anthem after the NRL backtracked on its controversial decision to ban the singing of Advance Australia Fair at the State of Origin

'There's been numerous discussion forums across the media and across Australia today. There've been numerous phone calls today between different stakeholders,' Abdo said on Thursday afternoon.

'The prime minister made a phone call to our chairman.

'We've had a number of fans express their views across a number of different platforms and on that basis the commission met and decided that this decision wasn't the intention and therefore it was important to reinstate the national anthem to start of State of Origin.' 

Abdo explained the scrapping of the anthem from Origin matches was made to celebrate the rivalry between the state teams.

The commission decided the anthem was appropriate only to be played at the NRL grand final, Anzac Day games and Test matches, and did not intend to create a divisive political debate. 

Pictured: The Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues stand for the national anthem during the 2019 State of Origin series

Pictured: The Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues stand for the national anthem during the 2019 State of Origin series 

Last year's series was dominated by the issue when Indigenous Blues trio Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Josh Addo-Carr spoke out before the game about their refusal to sing.

The anthem was also scrapped at the annual All Stars match earlier this year.

However, the original decision to scrap the anthem for this year's Origin series was made without speaking to the NRL's indigenous advisory group.

Abdo said the NRL's intentions were not politically motivated, and therefore they did not consult with the advisory group before reversing the call.

'Well we didn't speak to them prior to this and they certainly weren't lobbying or actively lobbying or putting pressure on us,' he said.

'That's why we haven't consulted with them on this decision now. This was really a decision the commission made.

'We haven't caved in.'

Abdo also confirmed no player would be forced to sing the anthem and that those decisions rest with the individual.

The State of Origin opener will be held on Wednesday in Adelaide.

Stefanovic said: 'I like it, it brings us together'. 'We've had such a divided year. I like it, I love it'

Stefanovic said: 'I like it, it brings us together'. 'We've had such a divided year. I like it, I love it'

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