Who was the colour-blind ARU official who signed off on the new HSBC Sevens World Series gear? An insipid lime green jersey, shorts, and sox. Lime?
You could tell the new-look Australian squad wasn’t at all impressed with the new-look strip.
They were rightfully embarrassed.
And no doubt the vast majority of Australian television viewers were embarrassed as well watching the inaugural Sevens at Skilled Stadium on the Gold Coast yesterday.
Lime has nothing whatsoever to do with Australia’s national colours, or heritage. It’s green and gold; pure and simple.
There are any number of accurate alternatives:
* Thick green and gold hoops.
* Thin green and gold hoops or stripes.
* Vertical green and gold stripes.
* Or green and gold squares; even polka dots.
Anything but insipid lime green from neck to ankle.
“I love it, I think it’s fantastic,” was ARU boss John O’Neill’s reaction. “We wanted to differentiate between the Wallaby and Sevens jerseys, and we’ve achieved that”.
Ace it up John, you’re better than that. Whoever made the decision has left the Australians as the laughing stock of the tournament, on home turf.
The alternate strip is far more acceptable, with a predominately dark green jersey and shorts, with small inserts of lime green, but still lime green sox.
There’s only one decision to make: an “unfortunate” fire in the gear box housing the lime green is mandatory, forcing the squad to only wear the alternate strip.
Despite the insipid look, the young Australians beat Japan 33-0, and the USA 22-7 in the lime, but lost 21-7 to South Africa in the dark green.
Maybe the lime green put off the Japan and USA players. We’ll never know.
Whatever the reason, the young Australians, with eight of the 12 on debut and averaging just 19, made it through to the quarters – a phenomenal effort and a credit to long-time coach Michael O’Connor, a dual international and a legendary Sevens player in his day.
The quarter-final draw today:
* New Zealand v England.
* Samoa v Australia.
* Wales v Fiji.
* And South Africa v France.
Sevens, like Twenty20 cricket for the purists, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But it has taken on a more elite status as a new Olympic sport starting in Buenos Aires in 2020. Sevens is already a Commonwealth Games sport, creating a new meaning to the old saying “Play rugby, and see the world”.
It’s now “Play Sevens, and see the world faster”.
This Gold Coast tournament, billed as “Fever Pitch” which is a bit over the top, is just the start of the current worldwide series.
* Next weekend it’s in Dubai.
* The following weekend in Port Elizabeth.
* Then Wellington February 3-4, already sold out in just five minutes.
* Las Vegas – February 10-12.
* Hong Kong – March 23-25.
* Tokyo – March 31-April 1.
* Twickenham – May 5-6.
* Ending up at Murrayfield – May 12-13.
The flying schedule is arguably the most taxing of all sports, with no alternatives.
But there are any number of alternative strips for the Australian Sevens squad. Please, no more lime green.
Leave that to the paddle pop manufacturers.
Lindsey Anderson
Guest
The colour is a disgrace and with the state of Aussie rugby, J O'N's comments on the differentiation is indicative of the poor leadership of this National Sport. What is wrong with an indigenous design to celebrate all those who have worn the green & gold. The second strip could revert to an historical striped outfit featuring our national colours.
Dan
Guest
No, this lime green jersey looks pretty horrible, but the A-League do have a team named "the roar" and the "Melbourne Heart", while the NRL has 3 teams with names ripped straight from the NFL... and I haven't even mentioned the AFL's GWS "Giants".
Dan
Guest
Agree whole-heartedly Sheek. Of those I reall I always wondered about the Force outfit too to be honest. Why didn't they keep it black and gold? The argument I heard at the time was that they didn't want it to clash with the Hurricanes colours. Yet the 'Canes are the only side that wear those colours in the comp, whilst almost half the teams now have some predominantly blue combo (Tahs, Blues, Bulls, Force, Brumbies, Rebels - heck, even the Stormers). Why didn't they just reverse the colour order? Make the 7s jersey mostly dark green? The South Africans don't actually own that colour distribution... in fact the only reason we have a Gold dominated Wallabies kit is because our boys politely agreed to change from a predominantly green one (like the Kangaroos) to suit the South Africans back in the '60s.
Ticker
Guest
As a Raiders supporter and therefore massive supporter of the lime green, I am offended ;)
p.Tah
Guest
Agree, the lime green is revolting. The alternate navy strip was better, but bring back the yellow. It's just didn't look like our national team.
Ross
Guest
Given that the 7s team is still representing Australia surely a bog standard Wallabies shirt should be worn. Anyway didn't the Roar's resident mental patient, Mr Zavos, decide that having different coloured shirts was "cheating" a few weeks ago? So he must be furious.
p.Tah
Guest
Much better crowd this evening, goood atmosphere and some fantastic games. Well done Fiji!
turbodewd
Guest
Looks like the Canberra 'Dog Love' Raiders!
mickh
Guest
Ha! Come on mace you and I both know that the NZ cricket team are the only international side to play in shite brown. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
B.A Sports
Guest
Whenever you question whether the NRL or A-League is the most embaressing "professional sport" in Australia... the ARU really step it up..
Whites
Guest
The funny thing is the host city for the 2020 olympics will be decided by the IOC in Buenos Aires in 2013. I have a good feeling about the chances for Doha, Qatar.
sheek
Guest
I guess I'm showing my age - becoming a cranky older man - but I'm quite comfortable with change for the better. However, I can't cop these colour changes that have no other purpose than to make more money for a minority of people - like marketeers & clothing manufacturers. I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me how the garish all red for Queensland is an improvement on their TRADITIONAL maroon jerseys & navy shorts. Or WA with their so called ocean blue shirts instead of their TRADITIONAL yellow jerseys & black shorts. And before the ACT Kookaburras became the ACT Brumbies, they played in broad blue & gold hoops (much like Bay Of Plenty NZ). But I guess the change to a navy saddle on white is an improvement there. You don't mess with tradition, & while both these changes (Qld & WA) are okay, they are not an improvement IMHO. As for the lime green jerseys for our rugby sevens players, whoever thought of that should be put out of their misery.....
Jeb
Guest
surely that was a joke. surely. If not then the 'expert' tag under his name is.
Mark
Guest
I love the new Wallaby yellow jersey. It's the first time I ever bought one. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Whites
Guest
Think Gold Coast United not Titans or Suns.
ctpe
Guest
lucky it wasnt JOn pink
Matt Manley
Guest
Yellow or Gold is Australia's color. If you want a bright ass color then go with bright yellow: http://cdn.complex.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/oregon-day-glo.jpg
anopinion
Guest
What was the turn out?
Johnno
Guest
I thought the Canberra Raiders were playing in the picture.
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
I don't watch Sevens but if that picture is an indication, the outfit is ghastly.