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Australia to don maroon and blue against England

Greg Inglis, one of the modern greats, would not have been playing league if it wasn't for Dally Messenger. (Photo: NRL)
28th October, 2014
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Left black and blue by New Zealand, the Kangaroos will hope to show their true colours when they ditch the green and gold in Sunday’s must-win Four Nations clash with England in Melbourne.

Australia will don a blue and maroon jersey to mark 100 years since England’s famous Rorke’s Drift Test win.

England have already confirmed that they will wear their special red and white hooped jersey for the occasion.

They will wear their special jerseys this weekend to commemorate their backs-to-the-wall 14-6 third Test win at the SCG in 1914 that earned a series victory with just nine men.

The Australian press were so impressed by the visitors’ bravery back then that they compared it to the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, the British military’s 1879 rearguard against the Zulus in South Africa.

With Australia also needing some inspiration following their shock 30-12 Four Nations loss to the Kiwis last weekend, the Kangaroos are set to wear a jersey last seen in 2008’s Centenary Test against New Zealand at the SCG.

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The Kangaroos jersey will bear the names of all 13 Australian players who took part in the famous clash, according to Rugby League Week website – Alf Wood, Frank Williams, Harold Wagstaff, Billy Hall, William Davies, Stuart Prosser, Fred Smith, Jack Chilcott, Dick Ramsdale, Percy Coldrick, Dave Holland, Douglas Clark, Albert Johnson.

England will also have their 1914 players featured on their jersey.

Coincidentally the Rorke’s Drift Test was initially set to be played in Melbourne where England hope to knock Australia out of the Four Nations on Sunday.

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