One Percenters: Indigenous jersey a hit with players and pollies

Sun, Oct 22, 2017, 8:00 AM
Sam Phillips and Beth Newman
by Sam Phillips and Beth Newman
The Wallabies Indigenous jersey is a hit. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley
The Wallabies Indigenous jersey is a hit. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart Walmsley

The Wallabies Indigenous jersey has been praised by punters and players alike and after Saturday night’s Bledisloe Test win, there have been calls to keep it in the rotation.

Fans and former players took to twitter to voice their support for the initiative, including centurion Matt Giteau, who shared a pic pre-game of his whole family donning the special kit.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika took the chance at the post-match press conference to speak of the significance of wearing that jersey.

“Dennis (Artist Dennis Golding) came in and explained to us the meaning of the jersey itself and I think that the team has been instrumental," he said

“We were front and centre in asking to bring the welcome to country up to the anthems stage because our team is a team that’s built on people from all different lands.

“I think it was a great opportunity to be involved in an occasion like that and it resonates with everyone and we as a union keep that going.”

Hooker Stephen Moore said he felt the win helped do the moment justice.

While it seems unlikely it would become the Wallabies’ permanent jersey, an annual outing for the unique design has plenty of merit.

Classic touch by Wallabies

The Classic Wallabies were honoured on Saturday night. Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyIt wasn’t just the Indigenous recognition that was a new introduction for the Wallabies in Brisbane - this year’s retiring capped Wallabies were all honoured at half-time.

The Classic Wallabies will be in Lismore this week taking on the Barbarians, LIVE STREAMED on RUGBY.com.au.

From Wallaby squad to Wallaby punter

Tom Banks will likely be lining up against the Wallabies for the Barbarians in Sydney, but on Saturday night he was one of the 45,107 punters in the crowd, watching on as they snatched a trans-Tasman win.

Turinui's name in lights

A few casual punters alerted the team at RUGBY.com.au to race four at Lismore Turf Club tomorrow, named in honour of Rebels assistant coach and Classic Wallaby Morgan Turinui.

The Morgan Turinui Class 3 Handicap will jump at 3:40pm AEDT tomorrow, for those that are interested.

Fans' Choice Wallaby of the Year

Who is your pick for Wallabies player of the year? Photo: RUGBY.com.au/Stuart WalmsleyWhile the home Test season is over, there is just one more night to tick off ahead of Spring Tour - the Rugby Australia awards.

Fans have the chance to vote for their top Test player of the year, by clicking here.

The whole night will be LIVE STREAMED on RUGBY.com.au on Thursday October 26.

Aussies aplenty in World XV

A World XV will face Japan on Saturday and there are Australians aplenty in the squad.

Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Nic Stirzaker and Sam Wykes will all line up for the team, which will be led by former Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

All for one and one for all?

An interesting turn of events in Australian rugby this week, in the context of collaboration and unity.

The NSW Rugby Union has entered a submission into the senate inquiry into Australian rugby, but it’s not about the decision to axe the Force.

NSWRU are looking for a governance overhaul in Australian rugby, saying ‘the existing model lacks the requisite division of responsibility’.

Among their proposals is a suggestion to allow states to determine their own governance models and take control of the allocation of funds to their community clubs and schools.

As well, the document proposed creating an ‘ARU Distribution Percentage’, to give state unions a set percentage of media and sponsorship dollars based on their participation numbers.

The submission comes in a year where Australian rugby has touted a more unified and collaborative approach.

Seventeen submissions have been entered into the enquiry, including documents from the Rugby Union Players’ Association, with a number of entries anonymous.

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