Wallabies’ indigenous jersey set to stay after nation embraces popular strip

AFTER fans and players embraced the first ever indigenous jersey worn by any national team, the popular strip is set to become an enduring symbol for the Wallabies.

The indigenous jersey championed by Kurtley Beale is set to stay.

THE Wallabies wearing the indigenous jersey in an annual Test match appears the likely outcome when ARU powerbrokers meet over the next few days to decide how to permanently embrace the popular strip.

It will be a case of “how often” - not if - the Wallabies wear the specially designed jersey, which was worn by the Aussie team when they finally beat New Zealand in Brisbane on Saturday.

The indigenous jersey has received a hugely positive response since it was first revealed in

​July​ by ​a ​proud Wallaby Kurtley Beale, one of the main drivers behind the idea.

The indigenous jersey championed by Kurtley Beale is set to stay.

Sales of the jersey have gone gangbusters and numerous high profile athletes, such as Matt Giteau and Anthony Mundine, called for the Wallabies to adopt the jersey permanently.

It is unlikely there will be a total replacement for the Wallabies jersey but ARU boss Bill Pulver confirmed the jersey will be sighted again in future years.

“We have had such a strong response, we are delighted with the response to the indigenous jersey,” Pulver said.

“We have people ringing us up from around the country wanting to buy it. It is a beautiful design and we are very proud to have been the first national team to play in an indigenous jersey.”

It’s official.. after that victory @qantaswallabies have to stay in those jerseys 💛❤️🖤

👌🏼💪🏼

— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) October 21, 2017

The wallabies should wear the ABORIGINAL jersey always (-0-) 🙌🏽

— Anthony Mundine (@Anthony_Mundine) October 21, 2017

It’s official.. after that victory @qantaswallabies have to stay in those jerseys 💛❤️🖤

👌🏼💪🏼

— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) October 21, 2017

The topic of future use will be discussed at ARU management and board meetings on Thursday and Friday, Pulver said.

“I am extremely confident it is going to be a more regular fixture. The question is in exactly what form,” Pulver said.

“There are a few options. The sort of things that would be considered is a once-a-year jersey or you could consider it as an alternate strip for the Wallabies. There are a few ways we could go. But I am pretty confident … the response has been so favourable we would like it to be a more permanent fixture.”

It is believed the most likely outcome will be an annual Test match with the Wallabies wearing the indigenous design but there have been calls for the ARU to ensure they focus on increasing the number of indigenous Wallabies, which still stands at a paltry 14.’

Asked if the ARU would consider dedicating a set percentage of revenue from an indigenous Test match, from the gate and merchandise sales,

​to put into indigenous rugby programs ​Pulver said: “There is a broader discussion to be had on issues in indigenous rugby, absolutely.”

Michael Cheika and Kurtley Beale celebrate the win.

“We are working with the Lloyd McDermott rugby program and have some really good things happening,” Pulver added.

“The really exciting thing through the Lloydies is the launch of the Deadly sevens program, which we had 2500 indigenous kids through this year.

“We are certainly expanding our investment and part of this is the broader Reconciliation Action Plan. We are working with guys like Gary Ella and Lloyd McDermott and I’d like to think they’d say we’re doing some good work on a raft of initiatives for there growth of indigenous rugby.”

Originally published as Wallabies’ indigenous jersey set to stay after nation embraces popular strip