Those of us with rugby memories longer than ten years will remember the good old days before the 2003 Rugby World Cup. I’m not talking about the sight of Joe Roff diving over the goal-line against the Lions, or Kefu burrowing under the posts in John Eales’ last match, I’m referring to something even more noble – the old rugby jersey.
What a wonderful creation of cloth it was. Loose and comfortable in summer, and over little more than a t-shirt, warm in winter.
Rugged and sturdy, you could wear it outdoors – fishing, camping, digging, anywhere. Kept clean it was virtually formal wear, and any place with a dress code that didn’t allow you in the door was not a place you’d want to drink in anyway.
That sacred robe of your tribal colours would last for years, even decades, advertising your past and present sporting fancies, even telling part of your life story and history.
I can still wear my late father’s jersey, one that was last worn of a playing field back when Menzies was Prime Minister. Those old jerseys would get more comfortable the longer you had them, and only your widening girth in older age prevented you from wearing your high school jersey to your 25-year reunion.
They truly were a miracle of design in a simpler age.
Then darkness descended over the rugby world.
In 2003 the England team arrived in Australia wearing something that looked more at home at a velodrome than a rugby field. During the World Cup that year the French too, pranced around wearing something that made them look like rejects from the Tour de France.
Unfortunately England won the cup that year and no matter how convincing their performance on the field – even when they were holding the cup in their hands doing that god-awful ‘soccer bounce’ on the podium – you just couldn’t take them seriously when they looked like they were wearing spray-on spandex.
Of course the rest of the world followed, and now supporters are unable to wear accurate replica playing jerseys without looking like a complete goose. Players and pundits everywhere pleaded with the powers that be to go back to the old jerseys, but the playing advantages were obvious. Slicker and harder to tackle, they gave a slight advantage you’d be silly to ignore.
But now fans of the old jerseys have a new argument to use against these lycra leotards – how about the difficulty getting a bind in the scrum? Old jerseys used in some clubs even added extra layers around the shoulders for forwards, and cross stitching like a judo shirt.
Last year at a function I asked Jake White and Laurie Fisher why there were so fewer collapses and resets in footage of old wallaby matches from the 80s and 90s. One answer that came up was the new jerseys. Without a proper bind, props have their work cut out just trying to stay horizontal.
So how do we undo the damage? I had a quick look at the IRB rules and regulations regarding attire, and there are no set rules for the jersey, only that one should be worn, and Regulation 12 focuses on padding, not the actual jersey itself.
The addition of two simple lines into regulation 12 would solve the problem:
“The jersey shall be made of durable material and of solid construction. The jersey shall be loose fitting, allowing at least 2cm of slack around the shoulders and torso.”
So how about it Roarers? Should we as a group make enough noise for our respective unions to hear. Lets banish these glorified latex undershirts to the dustbin of history where they belong. The revolution begins here.
Quick poll: Should IRB rules be altered to abolish the modern style jersey?
– Yes, the sooner we return to the old style the better
– No, I like the skin-tight jerseys as they are
JakeZbrah
Guest
I was under the impression that you were able to purchase a jersey in both the replica and old styles. As a brahma bull I don't really have a problem with the newer style though as they flatter my awesomeness. Perhaps some decent vintage ranges would be good for the 'small shoulders large waist' supporters.
S T Rineestee.rine@gmail.com
Guest
Agree with you & while we're at it how about Wallaby gold being more like Wallaby gold/orange I saw in a 1993 Test (boring) Vs NZ aired on Fox Soccer Plus? Or was it an old TV film? S T
SandBox
Roar Guru
was under the impression in 2007 we had a special jersey made for the RWC, to allow better binding (technology which someone gave to the Boks). Whatever happened? Was it a failure? There's no reason a special front row jersey can't be made with handles or some improvement. Australia should lead the way on this for obvious reasons. As a reds supporter, I believe their merchandise regularly sells better in Polo shirts, probably for the reasons mentioned in this article. Not offering an old fashioned jersey for your team seems bad business to me.
Poppy
Guest
Have to agree with you there Miss MC... Perhaps some handles on the backs of the front rowers' jerseys as someone once suggested... Then everyone wins!
Touko
Guest
No, that wouldn't work because the props would get confused and keep wanting to put their hands back into the slip pocket all the time.
Blinky Bill
Guest
No yellow streak there mate. It's pure gold as you'd expect from a classy bunch like the Wallabies. ;) Even so, it looks too much like a scene from when I see my Mum in the nursing home, with loose boxer shorts draping down. It's just not a good look for the team that's trying to reach number 1. :(
Fragglewrangler, enjoyed your reminiscince of an era gone by, ah, those were the days, rugby was simpler, the laws less complicated and the odd fight on the field was ignored by the referee, I remember in those days even the blood looked better on those jerseys. I do agree though that at least the forwards should have looser jerseys, I think binding in scrums as a whole is suffering because of it not just the front rows. When you look at how easily scrums deteriorate or break apart these days something needs to be done.
flying hori
Guest
B B of B is that what the yellow streak is? lol
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
Not sure how you'd get KooGa on board, though...
Rob from Brumby Country
Guest
Another alternative would perhaps be to design a supporter's jersey and make it the only Wallabies jersey on the market. That way, the actual Wallabies jersey could resemble whatever the ARU deemed appropriate, and being confined to just Wallaby players, it might even develop a little bit of an aura like the Baggy Green. A bit of pride in the jersey, yeknow?
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Spoken like a true back. LOL. Mate the hit is everything in the scrum. It has a massive Rugby function. If you win the hit you unsteady your opposition, the ball goes in and you smash the weight on before they have time to set themselves again. The hit is everything in the scrum. Why do you think teams are still giving away penalties for engaging early? It's because winning the hit is crucial and they are always trying to beat the other side to the call.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
A simple area of loose material where the bind is made on the props jerseys would solve everything. Thing is, why would any team do it? They don't want the opposition to bind on them. This would have to be made compulsory from the top.
Jimbo
Guest
No chance of this happening though, the reality is that synthetic material tight jerseys are better. As many have stated, it makes players harder to tackle, whilst synthetic material is much better at getting rid of moisture and not getting soaked throughout the game.
Deez
Guest
Agree so far as all teams being in - absolutely would need it to be consistent across teams.
Tumble Hill
Guest
Tumble Hill
Guest
It's an easy fix isnt it? Buy the jersey thats 2 sizes to big.
moaman
Roar Guru
Or instead of a handle that protrudes-how about a slit-pocket the opposing prop can get his hand into?
Riccardo
Guest
x2
redsnut
Guest
Totally agree about the hit. I've been banging on about that for ages.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
"Kept clean it was virtually formal wear, and any place with a dress code that didn’t allow you in the door was not a place you’d want to drink in anyway." Brilliant!