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.
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.
Bob
Guest
This is the proper kangaroos jersey, not the green and yellow imposter.
Storm Boy
Guest
Inglis in split maroon and blue jersey! The irony!!!! Bowraville's finest.
Bluebag
Guest
The term was applied in 1914, so it is not some cheap marketing ploy. Not many seem to have had a problem with it being used in the intervening years until your good self... Hope you enjoy the game!
Bluebag
Guest
1963 and yep, they wore the same design
Birdy
Guest
El Greco , hopefully Sam comes back straight away but I can't see him letting anything getting in his way of total success. I don't think the rugby boys have any idea of what they are up against! But after the World Cup , if souths have salary cap problems can we have him at the tigers? Great read in British telegraph .
Nonu
Guest
The Kangaroos have worn this jersey before - against SA in 1965???
Nonu
Guest
Actually you didn't set the record straight - you tried to muddy the waters by saying the last game of the 1914 tour was played in Melbourne which had no relevance to the Rorkes Drift test played in Sydney. The ARL are again using a battle to try and sell a RL game in foreign territory by using the memory of a regiment that has no relationship to RL - cheap marketing at its worst. Roy masters was even more crass by trying to link the Welsh Rugby Union player NRL chief Smith to the Warwickshire regiment whereas the regiment was drawn mainly from the rugby playing areas of Warwickshire and Wales.. There is zero RL connection here..Rorkes Drift occurred before RL was even thought of.
El Greco
Guest
Too bad Slammin Sam isn't playing RL - the 4 nations is lesser for it, although he wouldn't have played anyway what with that cheekbone and all. Tragic news it was for die-hard Rabbits fans like me that he was going back to Unglund to play Infringements Union. Hopefully he'll get bored - no tackling, no line breaks, too much kicking.... and Unglund win the RWC (what the?) One of the best reads ever, for fans of Rugby League Legends whomever they played for in the NRL, is linked below http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/11194589/Sam-Burgess-inside-story-Bath-and-England-to-discover-what-Russell-Crowes-sparkly-eyed-man-is-really-made-of.html#disqus_thread Let's hope he comes home to the family in Sydney, and the Rugby League family
Stormfront
Guest
I'm not joking How would Queenslanders feel if Australia donned the Sky Blue to commemorate the forming of the NSWRL while playing a test at Suncorp? Or they wore Maroon playing in Sydney? it would be an absolute uproar!
nerval
Guest
Stormfront, are you serious? You're refusing to go to the game because, for one of the relatively few times, the sport is paying homage to its rich international history by having its players wear these other coloured shirts? Please tell me you're joking.
Bluebag
Guest
Scunthorpe Utd - hopefully Australia can channel a bit of Kevin Keegan's creativity, Ray Clemence resolute defence and Ian Botham's all round brilliance..
Tim
Guest
West Ham United have a rugby league team now?
Bluebag
Guest
Well excuse me for trying to set the record straight - I don't think I said the Rorkes Drift Test was played in Melbourne. I can't see what is wrong with celebrating a famous match but each to their own and I haven't heard any suggestion that next year's midyear Test would be named the Gallipoli Test. Why would they, when they will again compete for the Bill Kelly Trophy, and he played Test football for both Aus and NZ? Again, it is an occasion that should be a milestone event.
Stormfront
Guest
As a Melbournian/ Victorian I'm extremely dissapointed in this. I intended to go to the game but had not bought a ticket because I was unsure of work commitments. I will definetly no longer attend the game. Its a joke that a team representing our WHOLE nation would wear colours specifically representing two states. They are playing in Melbourne not Sydney or Brisbane. Most casual Victorian fans would have no idea about the heritage behind the jersey and those that do would further feel that Rugby League does not care about Victoria.
Nonu
Guest
So the Rorkes Drift test was In Melbourne?????? - that's like saying the anniversary match of the famous 1969 Souths v balmain GF match should be played at Allianz stadium rather than the SCG (where the anniversary match was played) but at least Allianz stadium is in the same city...Just because the Lions played a 1914 game in Melbourne means stuff all they probably played in Brisbane and towoomba and Newcastle et al....The Rorkes Drift game was held in Sydney in 1914....I didn't mention the replica jerseys. I assume if next years Aust v Nz test is called the Gallipoli test it would have to get the go ahead of the respective RSLs... Bluebag - straight out of RL Central
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I like this jersey and it's being worn for the right reason, but just at the wrong place.
Bluebag
Guest
The last game of the 1914 tour was actually staged in Melbourne and the decision to wear the replica jerseys was apparently made after the schedule and venues had been determined, so no conspiracy. The title Rorkes Drift was applied to the game in match reports of the day so I can't see why the NRL or RLIF would need permission from anyone to use it. In any case, it only adds to the lustre of the Warwickshire regiment I'd have thought.
Bluebag
Guest
Are you aware that the jersey is being worn to commemorate the centenary of the Rorkes Drift Test in 1914, when Australia wore this jersey? That's why England are also wearing the jersey design they had for that series too.
Nonu
Guest
This is bizarre - the 1914 Rorkes drift test was held in Sydney and the ARL is not game to run England out in Sydney because the crowd will be so poor which explains why England has played 2-3 times in Sydney in the last 20 years. The English RU team has played more often in Sydney and there are 8 possible opponents for the Wallabies. Imagine holding a commemorative game in another city other than where it was originally held when the SFS is available... I'm leaving aside the fact that the RL would use a battle where thousands lost their lives and try to make comparisons and the fact that RL has no link with the Troops , regiment (or Zulus) who were killed. I assume the Warwickshire regiment has allowed the RL to use the name but I wouldn't bet on it. Just because journalists may have coined the term doesn't mean the RL has to cash in as well..
cedric
Guest
they're not prop-less, they've got one, Woods, he went alright apart from that headband. Lucky Chambers didn't make this side he's from the N.T. they would have to stitch a bit of ochre colour on the jerseys! I guess its all a bit of hoopla this jersey/battle thing, but I don't think it needs anything, it's already there, Roos' with backs to the wall and England thinking they can take this game!!!!!!!!!!! Bring it on!!!! Being a kiwi, I find myself excited about both games!!!! Jamal I just read your thing below my statement, I suggest you remove all sharp objects and rope from your home, just incase!!