Broncos jersey detail sparks calls for widespread NRL change

The NRL world is calling for teams to follow the Broncos’ lead, with a jumper move prompting many to ask for an immediate change.

NRL fans are urging more clubs to consider permanently putting player names on the back of jerseys after the Broncos’ move to do just that against the Warriors drew widespread applause.

While Brisbane may have lost Saturday night’s match against New Zealand 20-18, their jersey was a winner, despite it coming out of necessity rather than choice.

This is due to the Broncos’ sponsor, The Star Casino, being banned from appearing on their jersey due to New Zealand’s laws preventing the promotion of gaming.

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As a result, Brisbane decided to fill the vacant space with the surnames of players.

In doing so they became the first club in almost 30 years to have player names on the back of jerseys.

It was a throwback to the Super League days of 1997 when iconic names such as Renouf, Langer, Walters, Lazarus and Tallis were seen on Brisbane’s playing kit.

NRL fans are calling for names on the back of jerseys to become common place. Image: Getty

And the sight of names on the back of jerseys was met with overwhelming support by footy fans.

Newcastle Knights playmaker Jackson Hastings loved the look, taking to X to write: “Names on the back of jerseys!” with a love heart eyes emoji.

Other fans were equally swept away by the look.

“Love it! Wish it would become the norm, along with individual player numbers,” one NRL fan wrote.

“I love it. Need more of it,” another added.

While it is standard for a player’s name to appear above their number in various sports across the world, it has never been commonplace in the NRL.

Origin stars already have their name on the back of their respective NSW and Queensland kits.

And in Melbourne Storm’s inaugural season in 1998 and in the 1999 grand final, they too had their names on the back of jerseys.

So as other major leagues see jersey sales continue to go through the roof for certain athletes solely due to their name, the time may be now to make the change in the NRL.

The success of the Broncos’ jersey move will only strengthen the Bulldogs’ argument for it to become normalised.

Before the 2025 NRL season got underway, Canterbury chief executive Aaron Warburton voiced his desire for players to have their surnames on the back of jerseys, with next year’s Las Vegas fixture pitched as an ideal date for the new design to be launched.

“It’s about pushing the boundaries … it’s about us putting the Bulldogs on the map,” Warburton said on SEN in February.

Names on the back of jerseys is commonplace in State of Origin. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“We’re actually talking with the NRL at the moment because we think it’s the perfect moment to implement surnames on the back of jerseys.

“Something as simple as that we think will really engage the fans.

“There’s a lot of chat online, particularly with our fanbase, around why they can’t see a Burton or Kikau or Mahoney on the backs of jerseys with their number.

“The stats say they want it, and we’re really open to it. It’d be a discussion for us and all the clubs and in particular the top-of-jersey sponsor to negotiate what that would look like to make way for the surname.

“I don’t think you want to implement a surname on the back of a jersey and have it so small that you can’t see it.

“I think it’s important that a player’s brand can go to the next level and kids can aspire to buy and wear the Burton jersey and then one day wear the blue and white.”

Originally published as Broncos jersey detail sparks calls for widespread NRL change