Kangaroos legend ‘shattered’ Australia’s World Cup squad will not wear position numbers, with a decision criticized as a rip-off of the sport’s tradition
Kangaroos legends continue to express their dismay at the Rugby League World Cup jersey number debacle.
Instead of lining up in the traditional position-based numbers 1-17, the 11 Kangaroos in this year’s 24-man squad have been given a number based on the order in which they made their Test debuts.
The 13 in the squad who have not yet made their debut have been given a number from 12 to 24 in alphabetical order.
Australia’s 1992 World Cup final savior Steve Renouf, who played 11 Tests, says he is “devastated” the current Kangaroos will not be able to carry their position numbers into this year’s tournament.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is scathing about the decision to scrap rugby league’s traditional shirt numbering system at the World Cup.
Renouf wore the No.3 shirt in the final 30 years ago and scored the winning try on his Test debut in the 10-6 win against Great Britain.
The numbering system is part of the Rugby League World Cup rules, which the qualifying teams signed up to two years ago.
Even Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, who was also Renouf’s centre-mate in the 1992 finals, is not in favor of the move and expressed exactly that on SEN Radio.
“It takes the excitement out of your rookies in particular because they’re going to be playing in numbers that don’t mean anything to them,” he said.
“The fans will try to understand who wears the 24 shirt and plays in the middle.”
Latrell Mitchell will not wear the usual no. 3-centre jersey – will instead wear the no. 8 due to the timing of his debut for Australia compared to his peers
Renouf told AAP he agreed with his former teammate.
“When you’re a center, like me, it’s No. 3 or No. 4,” he said.
‘Imagine starting in the team and making it to 24. People would always think you’re a reserve.
“My Australian jersey is the ultimate jersey for me. It has pride of place. I wore the number 3 on debut and it will always be special.
“That’s why I’m gutted that players this year can’t play with their position numbers. I understand those are the rules, but I don’t agree with them.”
When Renouf saw the Kangaroos’ team list for their first World Cup clash with Fiji, with center Latrell Mitchell slated to wear the No.8 jersey, he snapped a photo of his 1992 Test jumper and the posted on social media with the words: the privilege of wearing this shirt 30 years ago! With my number!’.
Kangaroos legend Steve Renouf is “devastated” by the decision to scrap the traditional numbering
Knights legend Matthew Johns, who played nine Tests for the Kangaroos, was also scathing about the surprise decision.
“I can’t believe it, every game you should win your shirt from 1 to 17, the pair of six (test shirts) I’ve got, they’re the special ones because they’re the ones you’ve won,” he told SEN .
“Honestly, I hate it… the traditional jerseys and numbers are part of the history of the sport, and you shouldn’t tamper with that.”
Nine-time Kangaroos representative Matty Johns also criticized the system, saying it was a big part of rugby league’s proud history.
The Kangaroos kick off their World Cup campaign at 5.30am (AEST) on Sunday against Fiji, and you can follow all the action on Daily Mail Australia’s live match blog.
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