Wests Tigers reveal redesigned ANZAC Round jersey after shambolic blunder

The Wests Tigers have fixed their mistake days after it was plunged into another crisis over its ANZAC jersey design.

The Wests Tigers have fixed their mistake. Photo: Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers have released the images of its newly designed Anzac Round jersey after the widespread backlash to the original design.

The jersey was revealed on Monday evening and the Tigers posted an explanation of the jersey, revealing it was “paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and their loyal service animals.”

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But fans were quick to point out that the design on the front of the jersey featured two servicemen walking away from a helicopter in “a Middle Eastern landscape, reminding us of the incredible bravery and sacrifice of our troops”.

The stock image features American soldiers walking away from the USS Lassen helicopter, which is used by the US military.

The club acted quickly and released the redesigned jerseys which now features the silhouette of an ANZAC soldier on the front of the jersey.

“This new design pays tribute to the sacrifices made by ANZAC troops, and the important role played by the local community in supporting them,” the Tigers said in a statement.

“The back of the jersey features poppies as a symbol of remembrance, and a way to honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”

Wests Tigers 2023 Commemorative Jersey. Pre-order today - https://t.co/RTLeaQ6SJT#weststigerspic.twitter.com/O3hJVKzXNM

— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) April 6, 2023

John Bateman models the Anzac jersey. Picture: Wests Tigers

The Wests Tigers' new jersey has been released. Photo: Wests Tigers

The back of the jersey features crosses marking the graves of fallen soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice.

It comes after the Tigers were forced into an embarrassing backflip on Wednesday night.

“The Commemorative Jersey to be worn by our players for this match has been criticised because an image on the jersey does not accurately depict Australian or New Zealand troops,” the Tigers said in a statement.

“As a club Wests Tigers is deeply sorry if the use of this image has in any way offended anyone. This was never our intention, and we are taking steps to rectify this.

“We have taken on board feedback from our members and fans, and we will be redesigning our 2023 commemorative jersey, immediately.”

The drama is set to cost the club an estimated $50,000 after 500 jerseys were ordered with the original design and will now no longer be sold, The Daily Telegraph reported.

NRL 360 host Paul Kent had slammed the jersey drama after revealing the Tigers’ original line that it was made in consultation with the Holsworthy Army Barracks was as a lie.

“So the Tigers gave us a statement and the important bits to pick out of it are, that they claim they collaborated with Holsworthy Army Barracks, who sighted and approved all collateral relating to the release of this jersey,” Kent said.

“They were very generic around their talking around that. The soldiers on the jersey simply depict the modern-day soldier serving in a desert environment.

The Tigers have landed in even more trouble. Photo: NRL Imagery

“They backed well away from the ANZAC reference. In previous years it has always been called the ANZAC jersey. This year even before this was discovered it was called the commemorative jersey.

“That indicated to me yesterday when we started to chase this that they had already become aware that it wasn’t a genuine ANZAC image and they couldn’t call it an ANZAC jersey.

“I’ve spoken to the Defence Force, who said to us they were not consulted by the Tigers as opposed to what the Tigers said yesterday.

“They did not supply any images to the Tigers. They do have images available if they are sought after.

“The Tigers simply went and got a stock image off the internet, designed the image themselves and sent it off to Steeden, who printed the jersey up.

“There’s also a suggestion in the statement yesterday that it was purchased under licence by our official apparel partner. That’s not true. The fact is it was actually sent to apparel partner Steeden by the Tigers.

“They’re a little bit slippery with their version of events today.”

Originally published as Wests Tigers reveal redesigned ANZAC Round jersey after shambolic blunder