Controversy has raged after more than half the Indigenous team refused to sing the Australian national anthem played in the lead up to the NRL All Stars game.

The rugby league showcase between the Indigenous All Stars and Maori All Stars has been overshadowed by the strong stance by a number of the league's top players.

As 'Advance Australia Fair' was sung during the pre-game, several of the Indigenous team - including superstars Blake Ferguson and Latrell Mitchell - remained silent.

Indigenous skipper Cody Walker said post-match that he wasn't comfortable with a version of the Australian anthem being played at the game.

Controversy has raged after more than half the Indigenous team refused to sing as Australia's national anthem played in the lead up to the NRL All Stars game

'To be honest no (it shouldn't be played) – it just brings back so many memories from what's happened and I think everyone in Australia needs to get together and work something out,' he said.

'It doesn't represent me and my family.'

The strong opposition to the national anthem divided those watching on TV at home, with plenty taking to social media to have their say on the stance.

'Reconciliation is a two way street... (but) I didn't see one aboriginal sing the national anthem,' one man commented.

'Pretty disappointed to see most of the Australian Indigenous team not sing our national anthem. The Maori boys sang theirs,' another said.

But while some disagreed with the stance, others claimed it was inappropriate to be playing the national anthem at a game involving two indigenous sides.

The strong stance by the Indigenous All Stars team divided rugby league fans, with hundreds sharing their view on the matter on social media (Pictured)

'Why on earth would you sing the commonwealth-based Aussie anthem in an Indigenous game?' one woman wrote on Twitter.

'I'm so proud of the Aboriginal team during the NRL All Stars game anthem. Advance Australia Fair was written during a time the indigenous weren't considered humans... Why should they sing a song that does not represent them?' commented another.

'NRL completely missed the mark with the AU Anthem for the NRL All Stars and players reaction (or lack of) said it all,' one man wrote.

But just minutes after more than half the team had refused to sing the anthem, they united on the AAMI Stadium turf for a war dance.

Led by their 21-year-old star Mitchell, the players performed the impressive dance to cheers from the local crowd.

WHY DID THE MAORI SIDE SING AND THE INDIGENOUS TEAM NOT? Australia's national anthem Advance Australia Fair was written in the 1870s but did not replace God Save The Queen as the official anthem until 1984. The song - written by Scottish composer Peter Dodds McCormick - has been called noninclusive for not having an Indigenous verse. By contrast the New Zealand national anthem, when played at sporting and major events, regularly begins with a verse from the Maori anthem 'Aotearoa'. It is followed by a verse from the English version of the New Zealand anthem. New Zealand anthem - Maori verse (translated) O Lord, God, Of all people Listen to us, Cherish us May good flourish, May your blessings flow Defend Aotearoa New Zealand anthem - English verse God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land. Guard Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand. Australian national anthem - Advance Australia Fair Australians all let us rejoice, for we are young and free; We've golden soil and wealth for toil; Our home is girt by sea; Our land abounds in nature's gifts, Of beauty rich and rare; In history's page, let every stage Advance Australia Fair. In joyful strains then let us sing, Advance Australia Fair. Advertisement

Just minutes after more than half the team had refused to sing the anthem, they united on the AAMI Stadium turf for an Indigenous war dance - led by their 21-year-old star Latrell Mitchell

The Indigenous All Stars defeated the Maori All Stars 34-14 in front of 18,000 fans

By contrast the majority of the Maori All Stars team sung the whole of New Zealand's national anthem, which includes a Maori verse.

Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley said during his post-match interview that the stance by his players was part of a greater 'issue'.

'I think it's certainly a discussion worth having, and I think it will happen,' Daley said.

'I think for us tonight it's probably not the right arena to discuss it. That's something we will have a chat about further down the track, but it is an issue that Australia is facing.

'I'm sure tonight will be one of the reasons we have a discussion going forward about what we do.'

The Indigenous All Stars defeated the Maori All Stars 34-14 in front of 18,000 fans.