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Adam Ashley-Cooper models the new Wallabies jersey designed by Kooga - Image from Rugby.com.au
The new Wallabies jersey by Kooga was announced with all the usual fanfare of a well drilled media unit yesterday. Indestructible, increases performance by 4%, chamois on the shorts to allow wiping your hands, padded socks, ability to leap tall buildings in a single bound, and more gadgets than Rodney Dangerfield’s golf bag in Caddyshack.
But the important question for fans is – how does it look? With every new jersey announcement there is the fear amongst fans that it will be a repeat of “that” jersey. The 1997 Reebok technicolour yawn, which is generally agreed to be one of the worst, if not the worst, Australian sporting jersey ever to be seen.
The new Wallabies jersey is very … gold (much like the new Queensland Reds jersey is very … red). With a little green piping. And no collar (although these have been disappearing in recent years as a tackle grab point).
So apart from the collar, there is very little bottle green amongst all that canary yellow, sorry, Australian gold my friends. The shorts and socks provide the real green.
So ultimately, when I look at the new jersey I feel like I am looking at the Socceroos jersey (the sponsor on the front is even the same!).
Now I love the Socceroos jersey, but on the Socceroos. The Wallabies have always been the same colours, but their own identity via the jersey.
It may just be that technology means all the sports kit is starting to look the same, but I feel something is lacking. Perhaps it will grow on me like the piped green sleeves circa 2003 did (but never the Waratahs version!).
It is worth noting that when I looked at the new season jerseys for the NSW Waratahs, which are supplied by Canterbury, the lightweight playing jersey is very similar in having little to no collar. However, they are still stocking a heavy cotton collared jersey in the more traditional look.
The tendency has been that fans wear the shirt of their team, but the way things are heading are the fans of tomorrow going to prefer to wear the jerseys of their heroes from the past rather than the present? Anyone got a 1984 Adidas “Classic” Wallabies jersey I can buy? XXL?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.