Davo's Contributions

The tri-stripe would probably classify as my favourite too. Pity about the fate of yours! An absolute collectors item now! I've been thinking about the 'performance enhancing' aspect of the new jerseys. Ok, so it makes sense that a collar is one more thing to grab onto if you're an opposition player, but what sort of advantage would that give in real terms? It would only make a difference in only a tiny, tiny percent of tackles. Does that compare to the psychological performance enhancement of being proud in your jersey? Wearing your nation's colours must be one of the greatest thrills for any player. That psychological boost from wearing a jersey full of tradition would probably outweigh just about any other factor, right? I think Nick Farr Jones wrote of how he refused to cut the sleeves off his first ever Wallaby jersey (that was in the day where there was no official short sleeve version) because it was too precious for him to damage. And then the in the cricket side, you see the Aussie players with their torn and tattered baggy greens. They won't replace them, because of what they stand for. Or am I just over analysing to find a reason to put collars back on players jerseys?

Rest in peace the real rugby jersey

31 Jan 2010

Initially, I was pretty horrified to see this new 'jersey' too. After all, it is basically a T-shirt, with not even the slightest nod towards the more traditional garments. No collar, canary yellow (rather than the true 'gold' we've come to associate with Wallabies) and a light fabric. Admittedly, since then, I've seen a picture of the 'supporters version' of the jersey ( http://www.onerugby.com.au/Rugby_Union/Wallabies/Wallabies_2010.htm ) and am much happier. The sleeves and collar version has a bit of the classic 1984 feel to it. Not sure that I'm going to buy one... but it's much better than the on field version.

Rest in peace the real rugby jersey

31 Jan 2010

As a Victorian fan, I think the general feeling at grass roots level here is that we're pretty happy with the name Rebels. I think it's mildly ironic that people outside of Victoria feel they have a better of what we should be called than we do ourselves. The Rebels was chosen in 2006 for the ARC comp after polling of local fans. The general feeling was that it fitted with the Victorian rugby personality. Our rugby community has always abided quietly, surviving against what seems like the overwhelming odds of AFL and recenlty the Storm. It embodies the fact that, yeah, we;re the underdogs that no one thinks much of, but we don't care. In fact, that's the way we like it. In addition the Rebels already has currency in the Melbourne rugby community. We're proud of the fact that we came second in the ARC. It's also worth knownig the imagery is in keeping with our senior club rugby side in Melbourne which is known as the Axemen and of course the Vic Bushrnagers which are our Shield cricket team. So, to be honest, I'm more than happy to keep the name. In fact, I carefully kept my Rebels tie and Jersey from the 2007 ARC and am looking forward to dusting them off in 2011.

What should new Super Rugby team be called?

20 Dec 2009