Wallabies unveil groundbreaking indigenous World Cup jersey

Australia’s history of World Cup jerseys has been mixed to say the least but no one can fault the two strips to be worn in Tokyo this year. CHECK OUT BOTH KITS.

Kurtley Beale proudly wears the Wallabies’ 2019 Rugby World Cup indigenous jersey. Photo: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley

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It’s rare that the launch of a World Cup jersey by the Wallabies is trumped within hours by the release of a more eye-catching strip.

That is exactly the case today because a bold and distinctive indigenous design will be worn for the first time at rugby’s greatest showpiece in Japan later this year.

For now, it will be a one-off for the Wallabies to wear against the light blue jerseys of Uruguay in the pool match at Oita on October 5.

It’s dark green transitioning to gold with a distinctive wallaby motif around the midriff.

The 14 waterholes woven into the jersey represent the 14 indigenous players who have become Wallabies, including Kurtley Beale.

Kurtley Beale proudly wears the Wallabies’ 2019 Rugby World Cup indigenous jersey. Photo: Rugby AU Media/Stuart Walmsley

The only Wallaby prouder of this jersey than Beale will be the late Lloyd McDermott, who died this year after a lifetime championing better opportunities for indigenous Australians.

Designer Dennis Goulding has done a wonderful job in putting a new twist to the classic 2017 indigenous jersey where a gold jersey had striking lighter green symbols.

Rugby Australia won the nod from World Rugby to introduce the jersey to the World Cup and has also asked permission to wear it should they reach a semi-final in Yokohama.

The second outing has considerations beyond the Wallabies’ capacity to even reach that stage.

A kit clash with the largely green jerseys of the Springboks and Irish would rule it out against those potential opponents.

The Wallabies will wear the above jersey for two Pool C games. Picture: AAP

Jersey manufacturer ASICS has delivered the gold and bold message in the traditional jumper that Michael Hooper and his team will wear.

There are no spiderweb panels or overdone green piping like the 2007 design and the heavyweight cottons and collars of early World Cup editions are long gone.

There’s no nod to the Southern Cross as the 1999, 2003 and 2015 jerseys embraced.

It’s a clean, uncluttered, strong, gold jersey. The collar is green and if turned white would resemble an exaggerated clerical collar.

In a fun social media poll conducted on Wallabies’ platforms, the 2003 World Cup jersey was voted No.1 of the eight worn by the Aussies at past tournaments.

George Gregan in the 2003 jersey. Picture: Gregg Porteous

There was a thumbs up on the 2019 kit from skipper Hooper and a fun moment at the Sydney launch when he was interviewed by Channel 10’s Matt Burke.

He’s the same Matt Burke who soared as a matchwinner at the 1999 World Cup when loose, not skin-tight, was the jersey fit.

To be honest, it’s a no-contest on the best Wallabies’ World Cup jersey. You’d take the 1991 and 1999 versions any day because they were draped on the tournament winners.

Originally published as Wallabies unveil groundbreaking indigenous World Cup jersey