All Blacks back Aussie Indigenous jersey

VINCE RUGARI NEW Zealand skipper Kieran Read has applauded Australia’s Indigenous jersey initiative, predicting it will give them an extra reason to perform in Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup Test.

The Wallabies will become the first national side to wear an Indigenous-inspired uni- form when they run out in Sydney artist Dennis Golding’s eye-catching design at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Read expects the cultural tribute will give the team a boost - and he’d know, having felt the power of the haka before every one of his 105 career Test matches.

“I expect it’ll do something for them, certainly,” he said.

“(It’ll add) a bit of emotion and I guess there’s a few of their guys of Indigenous background as well. I think it’s quite a cool thing for them to be doing. It’s great to acknowledge that and for us, we’ll certainly respect it.”

The jersey idea was sparked by Kurtley Beale, one of only 14 Indigenous players to have represented the Wallabies and arguably the team’s most inform player. Beale made calls last year for Australia to wear an Indigenous jersey and will relish the opportunity to play in it now his dream has become a reality.

“Kurtley’s been playing really well, he’s been a standout for them and rediscovered a bit of form he had from a few years ago,” Read said.