Wests Tigers’ Anzac jersey blunder: ‘How dare you insult the Australian defence force’
The struggling Wests Tigers are embroiled in yet another drama with claims the NRL club’s Anzac jersey is an “insult to the Australian defence force”.
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The struggling Wests Tigers have been caught up in a commemorative jersey drama with claims the soldiers plastered on the front of the jersey are not Australian.
Keen observers pointed to the soldiers’ uniforms and rifles as non-Australian.
“How dare you insult the Australian defence force, in which I proudly served for 20 years,” Pirece Tiemann posted on Facebook. “Absolute disgrace using US soldiers on that jersey.
The image is one of the first displayed when you Google search “soldiers walking to helicopter”.
The stock photo is free to download.
Cameron Alexander posted on the club’s Facebook declaring the Tigers a “circus”.
“What an insult to our service men and women, can’t even display them on a jersey for ANZAC day,” Alexander wrote.
The club said they had worked worked closely with the Holsworthy Army Barracks to launch the jersey.
“Holsworthy Army Barracks have sighted and approved all collateral relating to the release of this jersey,” the Tigers said in a statement.
“The soldiers on the jersey simply depict the modern-day soldier serving in a desert environment. The image in question, which is a stock image, has been purchased under license by our official apparel partner.
“The final design was approved by NRL Licensing. The military camouflage pattern above the chevron on the jersey is an authentic replica of the Australian Army camouflage that has been digitalised and grey-scaled.
“Both the Australian and New Zealand flags are represented on the jersey’s shoulders, again honouring our ANZACs.”
An Australian Veteran Community Facebook group also confirmed the image is of American troops.
Steeden is the Tigers’ apparel partner.
The Tigers launched the jersey on Monday with Englishman John Bateman and NRLW player Ruby-Jean Kennard who stood with a serviceman and a dog in front of a combat helicopter.
The Tigers will wear the jersey against Manly in round eight.
Other clubs including St George Illawarra also launched their commemorative jersey this week.
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