In a move to further close the gap for Indigenous participation in rugby and align themselves with Australia's other footy codes, Rugby Australia has introduced the inaugural Super Rugby AU First Nations round to kick off this weekend.
Following on from last year's historic Australian national anthem sung in the Euora language before the Wallabies clash with Argentina, which gained headlines across the world, RA are keen to keep making positive steps to increase First Nations participation in rugby and continue breaking down any barriers.
"This is a truly significant weekend for all of Australian Rugby," RA CEO Andy Marinos said in a statement. "We acknowledge that we are on the path to reconciliation, and this is yet another small step towards it.
"We have a deep desire to remove any structural and social barriers that exclude any Australian from participating in rugby, whether that be as a player, official, volunteer, coach or administrator."
The initiative has been taken up whole heartedly by each of the Super Rugby sides with the Queensland Reds, Brumbies, Western Force and Melbourne Rebels all releasing their own Indigenous jerseys and they have run community activations throughout the week, including smoking ceremonies and traditional cooking classes.
Brumbies wing Andy Muirhead will be one of only a few First Nations players to run out this weekend, but he says he feels special to have the opportunity to wear the Brumbies Indigenous jersey.
"Being the lone soldier at the club I definitely feel like I'm representing the other nine that have played in the jersey previously. It's pretty special for me that I get to wear it this weekend," Muirhead told media on Friday.
"I feel like any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people representing our culture in a positive way is always a good thing for our youth and I'd like to think I put my hand up and give a positive role model to those guys that want to play rugby, rugby league, whatever they want to do in the future. I like to think I step into that role."
The Reds and Brumbies have over the years played their own Indigenous round, with each side producing jerseys and working alongside the Indigenous community. Muirhead was happy the RA had chosen to follow their lead and hopes it becomes a yearly event.
"It's really good that Rugby Australia has gone out and created this round and I'm hoping it's one of those things that sticks around for many years to come, because I think it's going to be a successful weekend."
But Marinos and former Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team executive officer Tom Evans acknowledge more can be done to improve participation across all levels of the sport.
Following Kurtley Beale's move to France last year, the Wallabies no longer have a single Indigenous player in their ranks, and in their over 100-year history have registered only 14 Aboriginal players with only a handful of First Nations players running out across this weekend.
"We have several First Nations players amongst the Super Rugby ranks, and more in the sevens program as well as with the Wallaroos squad - but we are acutely aware that we need to continue the work and will do so through the continued demonstration of the values of our sport, as this is what truly sets us apart as a game," Marinos said.
Evans, who developed the flagship First Nations rugby event the Ella7s 13 years ago, said RA had missed opportunities over the last 40 years to reach out to the Indigenous community and grow participation, but they were taking the right steps with the inclusion of the First Nations round and Indigenous Wallabies jerseys.
"No, they're not doing enough, and they know they're not doing enough," Evans told ESPN. "There's been a few opportunities for rugby to reach out to the community over the last few decades, but they've missed them.
"During Kurtley's time at the Wallabies there was an opportunity to grasp, but they've let that go. They've missed opportunities all the way along and it seems that the lights only shone on it once those people have moved on.
"First Nations rounds are always positive steps. As soon as a sport decides to go down this path and embrace First Nations people it gives the sport an opportunity to talk about itself. It's great."
Shute Shield winning captain and longtime Ella7s volunteer, Jordy Goddard backed Evans' comments stating RA needed to make a "meaningful commitment" to closing the gap for Indigenous participation in rugby.
"From my involvements it's about commitment. I know that there's been Aboriginal programs, but they've come and gone, some start to make some really good inroads but then that program ceases," Goddard told ESPN.
"It's about RA making meaningful, long term commitment and making sure it is part of their core business moving forward. There has been some good things, but in terms of moving forward there just needs to be that meaningful engagement and commitment."
Despite the low representation in Super Rugby currently, there is optimism for the future with the latest Ella7s tournament hosting 28 men's teams and 12 women's teams and growth within club rugby.
"I'm always optimistic," Goddard said. "The talent's out there, you just have to look at rugby league and AFL, but we've just got to build the pathways. Rugby's a great game and we've seen success, look at Mahalia Murphy and Maurice Longbottom in the sevens program."