A new $20 million Centre of Excellence and now the new 2023 NSW Waratahs jersey bedecked with the logo of the club’s new principal partner.
Four of Australia’s five Super Rugby Pacific clubs have now had their kit reveals for 2023. Only the ACT Brumbies are yet to show their threads although a dry-witted insider said: “If you suggest traditional navy blue, gold and white, you’ll be close.”
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Monday night’s unveiling of the Waratahs’ official kit for next season was never about reinventing the wheel, just subtle tweaks to the sky blue jersey.
Having the NRI branding front and centre on the jersey is the big positive after being devoid of a naming rights sponsor there in 2022 so aptly reflected the rock bottom results of 2021.
Partnering with the Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Group, a multinational technology and consulting firm, reflects the shake-up in NSW Rugby off the field as well as on it through this year’s revival.
In every way, the Waratahs are better positioned to attack 2023 after coming into 2022 off the back of a winless season.
Bullet performer Mark Nawaqanitawase, Langi Gleeson, Ben Donaldson, Jed Holloway and Dave Porecki have become Wallabies since the Waratahs last played in Super Rugby Pacific.
The polish from playing in the Wallabies program can only have positive spin-offs when the Waratahs hit the new season with a blockbuster Round One clash against the Brumbies at Allianz Stadium on February 24.
Look at the Waratahs jersey a little closer and there are some subtle changes. The two University of NSW badges on the shoulders look much less like showy epaulets now the yellow backing has been removed. There are also some grip panels around the NRI logo.
The Waratahs’ heritage jersey is a lighter blue with the old NSWRU logo while the club’s alternate strip is fresh...white with largely sky blue trims.
The Western Force’s bold initiative is with the team’s away strip with a full-blown nod to Western Australia’s rugby heritage.
The striking jersey is in the state’s traditional colours with broad black and gold horizontal stripes. The regular Force jersey is in blue and black.
At the Melbourne Rebels, new long-term apparel partner, Dynasty Sport, has ditched 2022’s city skyline from the jersey.
On the Rebels’ traditional blue is a more stylised design inspired by Melbourne’s architecture from the linear angles of Federation Square to the striking Webb Bridge to AAMI Park itself.
As the Queensland Rugby Union enters 140th year celebrations in 2023, the Reds have re-connected with Canterbury of New Zealand as a new jerseymaker.
The result is a traditional maroon jersey with a less obtrusive white collar and a switch to white shorts as No.1s for the first time since 2002.
The 100 per cent cotton maroon jersey from Canterbury was the livery for some of Queensland rugby’s greatest moments, including the 48-10 win over NSW in 1979, the 1980 win over the All Blacks and the Super 10 titles of 1994-95. The former relationship spanned decades.
There is the hint of a throwback maroon, cotton, long-sleeved jersey as part of the Reds’ merchandise offerings for 2023...now there’s a winner for fans right there.
