‘Absolute privilege’: Wallabies to wear indigenous jersey at Twickenham against England
IN front of a sellout crowd at world rugby’s most famous venue, the Wallabies will walk out honouring indigenous culture in the famous jersey first seen last year.
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AUSTRALIA’S indigenous culture will be promoted on the world stage when the Wallabies where their specially designed jersey at England’s Twickenham Stadium next month.
The Wallabies will don the indigenous jersey against England on November 24, their final Test match of the year, after previously wearing it for the first time in October last year against the All Blacks.
On that occasion the Wallabies played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and produced a memorable upset win. It was the first time any national sporting team had worn an indigenous-inspired uniform.
Now, the jersey designed in 2017 by indigenous artist Dennis Golding will be paraded in the northern hemisphere.
“It is an absolute privilege to wear the gold jersey every time you get to represent your country on the rugby field and having the opportunity to wear the indigenous design has a special significance,” Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said.
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“The whole team was really honoured to run out in the indigenous jersey last year to recognise not only the role of indigenous players in the Wallabies throughout history but as a broader recognition of indigenous culture and its importance in our country.
“I was pleased that we were able to play in a way that was fitting of the occasion in Brisbane last year and we are very keen to come up with a strong performance again in London at the end of our tour.
“New Zealand and England are two of our closest rivals on the sporting field, no matter what sport you talk about, so I think it’s very fitting that we will play our first two matches in this special jersey against these two teams.”
The Wallabies’ touring squad of 30 players will be announced on Thursday, and there will be no surprise bolters.
“It is an absolute privilege to wear the gold jersey every time you get to represent your country on the rugby field and having the opportunity to wear the indigenous design has a special significance,” Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said.
With just eight Tests to play between now and the 2019 World Cup, coach Michael Cheika must now consolidate rather than gamble.
The squad will fly to Japan on Saturday night in preparation for the third Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks in Tokyo on October 27.
While there, Cheika will meet with veteran utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper, who is playing for Kobelco Steelers in the Top League.
Ashley-Cooper is poised to sign a deal with NSW Waratahs for next year, but it’s unlikely he’ll be picked to play in the European leg of the tour unless there are injuries.
Australia will have an extra week of training in Japan before heading for a three-Test tour of Europe, playing Wales (November 10), Italy (November 17) and England.
French-based forward Luke Jones confirmed he is joining Melbourne Rebels on a two-year deal from 2019, putting him in World Cup contention.
However, it’s also unlikely Jones will be considered for the tour.
Lukhan Tui has already confirmed he will miss the tour to remain with his grieving family after the death of his stepfather.
Tahs backrower Jack Dempsey is a chance of returning to the Wallabies if he can get through fitness sessions to test his injured hamstring this week.
Queensland rookie Jordan Petaia won’t be named for the Japan tour but will join the squad in Europe.
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