NRL 2023: What Wests Tigers have in store for bungled commemorative jersey?

While Wests Tigers have revealed their redesigned Anzac jersey, it also has been disclosed what the club intends to do with its bungled commemorative jersey as memorabilia hunters circle.

John Bateman models the Anzac jersey. Picture: Wests Tigers

The scrapped Wests Tigers commemorative jerseys will never enter Australian shores after the club was forced to redesign their on-field kit.

News Corp has learnt that the jerseys, which were produced, will remain with the manufacturer in Asia and presumably be destroyed.

That means rugby league trainspotters will not be able to own a piece of what will become memorabilia.

Wests Tigers' Anzac jersey take II.

There is one male jersey in Australia, which was controversially worn by Englishman John Bateman when he took part in a photo shoot to launch the jersey.

It is understood the club produced about 500 of the commemorative pieces. Those who did order will receive a full refund or the club’s revamped jersey.

The Tigers wasted little time in re-designing the jumper which was ridiculed after it was revealed American — not Australian soldiers — featured in the front.

The new jersey is now available for pre-order sales and costs $160. The jersey bungle will cost the club about $50,000 according to rival club bosses.

The Tigers are racing the clock to ensure the jersey arrives in time ahead of their clash against Manly on April 23.

‘Deeply sorry’ Tigers reveal new Anzac jersey design

The Wests Tigers have released first images of its redesigned commemorative jersey, which ‘pays tribute’ to ANZAC troops after the club initially used images of soldiers that were not Australian.

The original jersey, which appeared to depict American soldiers, weapons and aircraft caused widespread backlash.

A first look at the new design shows a silhouette of an ANZAC soldier on the front of the jumper.

“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

The back of the jersey also shows crosses marking the graves as a way to pay homage to the service men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Jerseys worn by the players in the club’s round eight clash against the Manly Sea Eagles will be auctioned off with all proceeds to go to Legacy, a charity that supports the families of veterans.

The Tigers issued an apology on Wednesday after releasing a commemorative jersey that depicted soldiers that were not Australian.

The jersey was only unveiled on Monday. But by Tuesday night the jersey was widely panned.

A day later they took responsibility for the error.

“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 reissued commemorative jersey can be pre-ordered by fans, and the club has offered a refund to anyone who had purchased the original jumper.

MASSIVE COST OF TIGERS’ ANZAC JERSEY BLUNDER REVEALED

A Wests Tigers commemorative jersey blunder will cost the club about $50,000 after they embarrassingly had to redesign their Anzac Day kit.

A host of rival club chief executives put the figure between $40,000-$80,000 when contacted by News Corp on Wednesday, with the Tigers offering refunds to those who had already purchased the jersey.

About 500 jerseys were ordered with the leftover stock now unable to be sold. They will also have to stump up for new playing kits while the short-turn around in manufacturing means the re-made jerseys will not be able to be sold to their fans – handing the club a five-figure blackhole.

READ WESTS TIGERS FULL STATEMENT BELOW

John Bateman and Ruby-Jean Kennard models the Anzac jersey. Picture: Wests Tigers

The Tigers issued an apology on Wednesday after releasing a commemorative jersey that depicted soldiers that were not Australian.

The jersey was only unveiled on Monday. But by Tuesday night the jersey was widely panned.

A day later they took responsibility for the error.

“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 club has less than three weeks to produce the new outfit. New recruits David Klemmer and John Bateman were forced to defend the club.

David Klemmer said he was blindsided by the Anzac jersey furore. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

Klemmer said the club had no intention of disrespecting the Australian Defence Force.

“I haven’t got any social media,” Klemmer said.

“First thing, I walked in this morning and it hit me square in the nose. I don’t think the club went out of their way to make a jersey [that was disrespectful] or disrespect anyone or cause any harm.

“Their hearts were in the right place. They thought they were doing the right thing.

“They are going to pull the jersey, make a new one and the jerseys we do wear are going to be auctioned off for charity. They’ve manned up.

“They’ve knocked it on the head, we’ve all knocked it on the head, did the right thing.

“I know we are open to all sorts of criticism because we are not doing so well. The biggest thing we can do is acknowledge it. We’ve coughed one up. But the club has done the right thing to fix it.”

Wests Tigers statement addressing Anzac jersey blunder.

The stock photo the club used is free to download. The club said they had worked closely with the Holsworthy Army Barracks to launch the jersey.

Bateman – who helped launch the jersey – said he was confident that the club was building towards a turnaround of form on the field despite their winless start to the season.

“You want to start the season winning, we have not done that,” Bateman said.

“But it’s only round five, and for the fans it is frustrating season after season not making the playoffs but we are building something good here. That’s the key word building, we have to carry on building.”