The Wallabies will wear First Nations artwork on their gold jerseys on a permanent basis in a move that Rugby Australia says is historic for a national sporting team.
Dennis Golding’s striking design has been incorporated into the numbers on players’ backs, with the fresh look to be unveiled against the world champion Springboks on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
RA said the Rugby Championship Test will mark the first time an Australian representative team will bear both the coat of arms and a First Nations design in its primary playing strip.
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The Wallabies have worn First Nations-inspired jerseys five times since 2017 but now the look will become permanent.
“This jersey holds significance to every member of our team, and to have the First Nations artwork now on our primary jersey is something incredibly special,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said.
“It was the players who had been advocating for the idea of a permanent First Nations addition, and I’m pleased we’ve been able to come up with a solution with ASICS which will feature on the new-look jersey.
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“We place a great deal of thought as to when and where we will wear it, and Townsville is an obvious choice – it boasts a strong First Nations community who we represent, and when we wear this jersey, we feel it will provide us with an even stronger connection with our people.
“As a squad, we pride ourselves on culture and inclusivity, and that’s what the First Nations jersey represents, and to now have it on both jerseys is something special for our rugby community.”
The Wallabies will also wear their full First Nations jersey in the September 25 Test against Argentina in Townsville.
Rennie has been a strong advocate for cultural inclusion and throughout the buildup to that match the Wallabies will engage with members of North Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations as they look to “broaden their understanding of their country’s history.”
“It’s a truly historic occasion to be able to announce the incorporation of the First Nations design on the team’s primary jersey,” RA chief executive Andy Marinos said.
“As a team and rugby family, we pride ourselves on our values of inclusivity and teamwork, and now both of our jerseys will do this, in being inclusive of all Australians.
“To wear the First Nations jersey in Townsville is also a momentous occasion. It will be our first match there, and with such a passionate First Nations community, we hope to make a real connection and forge strong bonds with that community.”