The Wallabies are just five weeks away from their opening Test match of 2018 against Ireland and have revealed their playing strip on Tuesday morning.
Rugby Australia describe it as ‘featuring a traditional twist on a modern design’. The jersey looks to be a throwback to the golden days of the Wallabies, with a traditional(ish) collar looking back to the 1980s and a logo reminiscent of the one which lines gold jumpers in the 90s.
The jersey, which is all gold, also features the traditional Australian rugby coat of arms badge on the left breast, with the Wallabies logo on the right.
» Full Wallabies fixture list
» The Rugby Championship draw
(Rugby Australia)
In a statement, Rugby Australia said the jersey was made for performance.
“Combining a heritage look and feel with state-of-the-art construction features and fabric, the jersey is made with hard-wearing flatlock seams, strategically placed mesh panels, and high-performance body fabric,” said the statement.
(Rugby Australia)
At this stage, there is no mention of the Wallabies Indigenous jersey which was worn during a Bledisloe Cup match last year despite calls for it to become the side’s permanent playing strip.
The one-off jersey was a tip of the hat from Rugby Australia to the significant contribution of Indigenous Australians in the game, but with no mention in today’s announcement, the assumption could be made that it won’t return in 2018.
The new playing jersey is available for fans to purchase from today.
wallaby fan
Guest
i'm new to this site i think you are spot on , bring back a jersey from a wallaby winning series i.e. g.greegan,j.eales era and never change it...promoting past glorious effort to future generations is a most important exercise !!! tony reds supporter
Redsfan1
Guest
This constant changing of the Wallabies jersey may be designed to increase sales but has the real effect of diluting the Wallabies brand.it would be much more powerful to stick with a design.
jack
Roar Rookie
it's shi*thouse and the thought that RA could reinvent itself with a new name, loge and jersey is shi*thouse too. C'mon Raelene Too ra loo ra too ra loo rye aye Players need to learn fundamental skills Coaches need to upskill their players and have a game plan Head office needs to be accountable
piru
Roar Rookie
And a good way to sell more jerseys (which I'm sure is no small part of the NFL and NHL plan!)
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Yeah. NHL works with a similar setup also. Easy stuff to do that usually gets the nod from the fans. Considering how good old rugby jerseys look this idea should have some potential.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They weren't the same colour type as these are though...
Bakkies
Guest
cm that would involve generating revenue.
Bakkies
Guest
Clubs like the Raiders had v neck collars in the 80s. Horrible.
Kirky
Roar Rookie
Jimbo88! You're right mate and it should bring the Wallabies winning rugby, that retro jersey, way to go, full of improvement guaranteed!
Kirky
Roar Rookie
It's yellow not gold, I went to school and learned my colours and that's yellow!! ~ Great idea though and it will surely make the boys play better, no doubt about it, just change the Jersey and we're back on track!!
John R
Roar Guru
I can't confirm this with any articles corroborating it, but my understanding was the indigenous jersey design would stay the same (presumably until another indigenous player is capped / kit sponsor changes), and would be used in one home test per year. Like I say though, I could be off the mark.
jimbo81
Guest
well said! I hate this jersey, last year's jersey, etc. Bring back the 1991 jersey and leave it alone. It's actually quite warlike.
cm
Guest
I fail to understand why the beautiful Indigenous jersey is not on sale all the time, and why RA hasn't committed to playing at least one Test every year in that strip. It looks like RA is not serious about fostering reconciliation with Australia's First Peoples, and last year's effort was no more than the rank tokenism it now reeks of.
Ray
Guest
don't you think if we do that too often it will lose meaning and impact.
Brett McKay
Expert
Yeah, that's a reasonable point TWAS. It's all very common in these commercial times, sadly...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
When has Rugby League used that collar? They went from full collars straight to crew necks. I know the British and Irish Lions used that type of collar in some 2005 and 2009 kit.
Akari
Guest
Or is it a noose to signify the state rugby is at on this side of the ditch? It's fugly
Bakkies
Guest
That league style collar is muck.
Joe King
Guest
Touch more '91 gold' colour would be good, but perhaps getting closer. Thanks
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I do like the jersey. I don't like this is the 4th jersey Asics have put out since 2015 though.