Cup jersey reflects a new world

MATT To’omua says the Wallabies’ indigenous jersey carries more meaning than ever because of the changing face of Australian society and a sea change in rugby.

Uruguay will face an Australian team decked out in the latest indigenous design in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup pool match in Oita.

It will be the third time the jersey has been worn in a Test, and for inside centre To’omua, it has come to represent a nation becoming increasingly multicultural.

The jersey was first worn two years ago as recognition of the Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders who have played Test rugby.

To’omua believed its meaning has moved beyond that, pointing to the fact half the Wallabies’ World Cup squad were of Pasifika heritage.

“The make-up of the Wallabies team in itself is a lot different culturally than it was, say, 10 years ago,” said To’omua, whose father is a Samoan native.

“It is very much indigenous art and an indigenous jersey … but it is representative of the fact society is changing and very much in a sport that was seen as being an upper-class, white-collar sport in the past.

“To see an indigenous jersey filled with a team full of brown guys is kind of cool and kind of different. That’s just where society is at the moment. To be at the forefront of that as a Wallaby is quite a proud moment personally.”

The Dennis Golding design is predominantly green with gold trim and serves as Australia’s “away” strip at the tournament.

The Wallabies wore a different coloured design in Tests against the All Blacks in 2017 and England last year.