‘Best jersey in years’ – Ex-Wallabies and fans rave over new kit for the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour
Wallabies prop Angus Bell and ex-winger Drew Mitchell.
Fans have reacted positively to the new Wallabies kit that will be worn during the 2025 British and Irish Lions Series.
Rugby Australia and sports performance brand, ASICS, unveiled the new kit on Tuesday with the traditional ‘Wallaby gold’ jersey featuring the First Nations Tour artwork created by proud Wiradjuri man and Wallaby number 978, Dylan Pietsch.
New Wallabies jersey receives high praise
The official series logo also appears on the sleeve, whilst the inner sleeve cuff will feature the First Nations place names of the event fixture locations.
“I am incredibly proud to be representing myself and my culture as part of this momentous series through the inclusion of my artwork across the tournament range,” speedster Pietsch said.
“The centre of the artwork features a wallaby and a lion in a direct reference to the Lions Series. Their relationship is presented as a battle underpinned by respect. Respect for our game, and respect for one another.”
New jerseys generally split opinion but on this occasion, one had to scour through the comments online to spot the rare criticism.
Fans were particularly happy with the fact that the jersey features a traditional collar.
Former Wallabies star Drew Mitchell was brief but emphatic with his reaction to the jersey.
“I like it…a lot!” Mitchell wrote on Instagram.
‘The collar is back’ – New Wallabies jersey for British and Irish Lions unveiled
“Collars to return”
And he was not the only one with fellow ex-Wallaby back Matt Giteau reacting with fire and heart emojis, with Quade Cooper adding a fire and hand clapping emoji.
Giteau also replied to Mitchell’s comment writing: “Would look great on us on the tour don’t u think beefy?”
It wasn’t just the former internationals that were impressed with the jersey with one fan stating that it was the “Best Wallabies jersey in years.”
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🇦🇺 Rate the new Wallabies jersey for the British and Irish Lions tour out of 10. 👇 pic.twitter.com/o5ioS3ljps
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) October 29, 2024
“Collars to return and never leave us again,” another comment read.
One reply hailed ASICS for their “Great work, finally” and the collar was a real standout for many as one comment said “Always nice to see a rugby shirt with a traditional-looking collar.”
The criticism was few and far between with one stating “If the Cadbury was green it could be an all-time classic kit” while another said the jersey looked “more orange than gold”.
Journalist John Ferguson added on social media platform X, formerly Twitter: “There’s been doom and gloom around the Wallabies in recent years but this jersey is a damn good thing! There’s so much good happening in Aussie rugby, sometimes we forget because it’s bubbling away under the surface. – HP performance admin – third tier talks – better SRP teams.”
While another fan simply added: “The design is fantastic. Imagine the pride of Pietsch in particular being asked to contribute to this. Will be buying.”