The Super 14 governing body on Monday told the New South Wales Waratahs not to wear their controversial initialled jerseys in the new season’s provincial rugby competition, which kicks off on Friday.
The team experimented with players’ initials instead of numbers in a trial game against Canterbury Crusaders in Sydney on Saturday, which the Waratahs lost 32-30.
But Sanzar has demanded an end to the practice and the Waratahs said they had reluctantly agreed to the edict.
Part marketing move, part team strategy of no longer having players confined to numbered positions, the decision also received a cool response from the Australian Rugby Union, amid concern from broadcasters.
NSW head coach Ewen McKenzie said the Waratahs would continue to innovate in other ways.
”We’ve got to keep thinking about new ways to reinforce the changes in the way the game is played,” McKenzie said on Monday.
”I reviewed the game in some detail on video and I have to say I actually found it easier to identify the players.”
McKenzie said last week of using initials rather than numbers: ”It does fit in with our policy. We’ve talked about the players having the ability to play in a number of positions.
”By not actually wearing a number on the back then I think it actually takes away from the players’ minds and mindsets that if they are wearing 10 or seven or whatever it is that that is the only job players do on the field.”
NSWRU chief executive Fraser Neill said he was disappointed by the decision but hoped the team would be able to use the initials in non-broadcast matches in future.
”We are clearly disappointed by this decision particularly as it was made before last weekend’s game,” Neill said in a statement.
”It was certainly different [in the trial match] but after a few minutes I and a lot of other supporters were hooked.
”But we’ve also had some feedback from our members who found the letters difficult to read so the size and colour may need tweaking.
”And we have no problem with that, as all we’ve ever asked for was an open mind going into the match.” – AFP
