Reds to permanently wear maroon jersey in 2019

Fri, Oct 5, 2018, 4:15 AM
Sam Phillips
by Sam Phillips
The Reds will wear the fan favourite maroon kit for the entirety of 2019. Photo: Getty Images
The Reds will wear the fan favourite maroon kit for the entirety of 2019. Photo: Getty Images

The Reds are going back to the future in 2019.

The club today announced at its annual long lunch that players will wear the traditional maroon strip for the entirety of next season in a nod to 125 years of rich Queensland rugby history.

The strip has become a fan favourite since being reintroduced in 2017 by former coach Nick Stiles for the team's clash with the Waratahs.

It was worn in both Reds-Waratahs showdowns this year and NSW introduced a similar heritage jersey this season to honour the occasion.

The move to make the maroon kit a permanent strip is a smart one and interim CEO David Hanham highlighted the reasons behind the switch on Friday.

"It’s important for us to reconnect with our roots," Hanham said.

"Queensland has enjoyed some of its finest moments playing in a maroon jersey over the decades.The traditional strip has become very popular since its reintroduction in 2017. Photo: Getty Images"In speaking to Brad, the QRU board and our wider stakeholders, it was an easy decision for us to return to maroon full-time – the colour we first wore in 1894.

"Brad is doing a great job of building the culture at Ballymore and running out in maroon jerseys will fill the players and our fans with a pride shared by all Queenslanders, wherever they may be in the world."

The maroon kit Queensland first wore in 1894 carried them through until 2006.

That's when the jersey transformed to the red strip the team has worn until now.

Coach Brad Thorn donned the Queensland State of Origin strip 14 times and he openly encouraged the change.

"When you think about representing sport in Queensland, you think about maroon," he said.

"It’s great to recognise our history and be back in the maroon jersey again."

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