NSW have rejected the NRL’s last-minute request to revert to their traditional sky blue jersey to avoid a clash with Queensland’s maroon strip in the State of Origin series opener.
The NRL was told of the Blues’ jersey choice more than a year ago but only made contact with NSW to question the navy blue design on Friday, once images began surfacing in media outlets ahead of Game I.
The Blues traditionally sport a sky blue jersey and the NRL harbours concerns the new outfit will clash with Queensland’s similarly dark attire.
While the NRL has final say over jerseys worn by each of its 17 clubs, the State of Origin sides are not bound by the same stringent protocols.
The Blues kit for Adelaide. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
NSW are due to fly to Adelaide for Wednesday’s series opener on Monday morning and team officials feel there is no time to have new jerseys printed with customised names and numbers.
In defending their jersey choice, the Blues released a statement that pointed to their decision to wear a similar navy-blue strip in the second game of the 2019 series.
“The wearing of an alternate jersey on Wednesday evening is not a new idea,” an NSWRL spokesman said.
“It should be noted that NSWRL first followed the concept of wearing an alternate jersey in 2019 without any issue or concern ever being raised by the ARLC.
“Indeed, the base colour of the jersey being worn on Wednesday evening is exactly the same colour as the colour of the jersey which was worn in Perth in 2019, again without any issue ever being raised by the ARLC and without any clash between the maroon Queensland jersey and the blue New South Wales jersey being identified.”
The NRL’s head of football Graham Annesley, whom a News Corp report said had raised the jersey clash with NSWRL, declined to comment on the issue when contacted by AAP.
mushi
Roar Guru
To be fair to the NRL they've asked NSW to not do this. I do wonder why you'd put Victoria colours on for a game in SA who played origin against the navy blues
astro
Roar Rookie
Just shaking my head in disbelief at this... No one from the NRL thinks to call the NSWRL, or vice versa, to have a chat about Origin, or maybe raise the fact that the NSWRL has decided to change the jersey? Its only the most important event in the game...and what jersey NSW will wear seems significant, no? Why do I have a feeling V'Landys and co, had no idea about this until they opened the paper and saw that picture of Nicho Hynes a few days ago...Just incredible incompetence all round.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Absolute amateur hour when you put it all as clearly as that…
astro
Roar Rookie
Classic NRL... You have a team which plays 3 games a year against only one other team, and yet they need an "alternate jersey". Once again, it just feels like the NRL are purposely generating content for HG and Roy.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
We did it in 2019 so what's the problem... I hope the poms don't start sending everyone who steals a loaf of bread to Australia because it worked for them in the past. The jersey is stupid because it removes the impact of ex players talking abut how important the jumper is to them. It diminishes the experience for the players, especially the debutants, who have wanted to put a sky blue jersey on since they were kids.. and still can't. But the NRL can be quiet too. Howl long have they known about it and now they comment, less than a week before kick off, once again, reacting because the public is reacting. Between the jersey fiasco, the teams having one public appearance in Adelaide, not selling out, and the PR signs in Adelaide about "come and see real footy", insulting all the potential fans by telling them the code they follow, isn't legitimate - this whole fixture is a dogs breakfast.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Just an all out gouge of NSW supporters and their children. Trying to flog new supporters jerseys.
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
I actually love the alternate jersey
The Barry
Roar Guru
“We did it in 2019 as well” is a terrible excuse. Everyone hated it then too… This is one of a thousand things that shows Origin means more to Queensland. Can you imagine Queensland wearing a white jersey with maroon trim under any circumstances? Nope, me either…
Nick
Roar Rookie
Well, it's Victoria, so it's care about the guernsey. It's a bit weird to have an "alternate" kit though for this fixture. Unless they're gonna start selling home, away and neutral kits each year... Which I wouldn't put past them
mushi
Roar Guru
At least they "care about the jersey "
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I cant tell from the photo. Who is NSW sponsors? Looking at the jersey, I wish I was colourblind.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
Watching Thursday nights game: Friend: "Which team are the Dolphins?" Me: "the red and white team" Friend: "Which red and white team?"
Phil
Roar Rookie
Beats me why they went away from the traditional colour. We have come to expect to see our lads run out in light blue. No worries, the game will proceed regardless of hue.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Qld vs Wictoria I guess...
Christo the Daddyo
Roar Rookie
Changing the colour is just silly. Can’t imagine anyone would buy one, so it won’t achieve its goal of being a money spinner. Yet again rugby league administrators cock up things up…
Dumbo
Roar Rookie
I have no sympathy with NRL. Every couple of weeks we see a match between two teams that have horribly similar strips. NRL nods them through despite the strips having the same colourway (underlying colour) and often the same colour shorts and/or socks. When the NRL gets serious about those, then it can take a stance on SOO jumpers, until then it should keep quiet. As an aside, I think that the huge Westpac W on the front of the NSW jumpers is quite sufficient to distinguish one team from the other, even if you are going to watch the game on a B&W TV.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
Just because you can wear a jersey this colour doesn't mean that you should
jammel
Roar Rookie
How happy does Hudson Young look in every origin photo!?? Living the dream. He'll fit in just fine.
mushi
Roar Guru
So it's qld v Victoria? Will be interested to hear Mr Johns take on this one
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Congrats Kights fans. Have a drink for me Choppy.