Entire state blowing up at sight of NSW State of Origin jumper
State of Origin fans knew it was coming all week, but that hasn’t made it any easier to look at the NSW team in the series opener.
Fans knew it was coming all week — but that hasn’t stopped fans from blowing up about the unsightly navy jerseys worn by NSW in the State of Origin series opener.
The Blues announced last week the state had decided to wear a dark blue jumper for just the third time in the history of Origin, causing immediate outrage.
The jumpers were modelled by Blues players last week, and the sight of a Westpac logo being surrounded by an unfamiliar navy blue strip made plenty of fans angry on Wednesday night.
Fans were even angrier after seeing NSW trail 10-0 in the first half.
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NSW most recently wore a dark blue jersey for a game in Perth during the 2019 Origin series, which they won.
The jumper was a convenient scapegoat for the Blues’ disastrous start to the match.
Sport journalist Matthew McInerney wrote on Twitter the jumper should be Australia’s costume for Eurovision next year.
It's the jumper for sure. #StateofOrigin#crisis
— Greg Prichard (@gregprichard) May 31, 2023
Before the game: Ahh who cares, it's a freaking jersey.
— David Piepers (@davepiepers) May 31, 2023
During the match: These strips look disgusting and are definitely why we're losing. #Origin
ironic that the blues are sponsored by westpac cause theyâve just been robbed
— V (@TicsVitsJacThic) May 31, 2023
That enormous Westpac logo on the NSW jersey makes it look very like a Waratahs jersey⦠#Origin
— Hugh Robertson (@HRobertsonEsq) May 31, 2023
One fan wrote: “That’s not a NSW jersey. Why do good things have to be spoiled?”
Another posted on Twitter: “The #Blues jersey is the epitome of “NSW don’t understand #Origin”.
One posted: “Why do NSW look like they are wearing a Carlton jersey. It looks horrible”.
Another earlier wrote: “It’s hard to relate to that NSW jersey, it’s the worst I’ve ever seen”.
NSW’s decision to wear a the jersey was previously branded “outrageously stupid”.
“No one likes it,” a furious Phil Rothfield said on NRL 360 on Tuesday night.
“Every kid in that side grew up wanting to wear the same jersey as Joey, Freddy, Bradley Clyde, Laurie Daley — all those guys.
“Could you imagine Queensland changing maroon to pink?”
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio pointed out sales for the jersey were on track to break records and raise close to $2 million for the NSWRL.
Despite the backlash it was reported on Tuesday NSW anticipated sales of the new jersey will reach up to $2 million.