Brumbies scrap white in new jersey
The new jersey is a never before used design and is unlike anything the Brumbies have worn in their 20 year history.
Predominantly blue in colour, the jersey has gold strips down the side of the torso and under the arms.
Brumbies Chief Executive Michael Jones says the new playing strip represents a new era for the club.
"2016 is going to be a huge year for us," Jones said. "I think we've got the best squad we've had in a long time, Bernie [Stephen Larkham] and the coaching team are another year advanced and we’re really starting to hit our straps in a number of areas.
"We wanted to match that with a whole new look for our second 20 years."
Jones believes the jersey will give the Brumbies a different look but not a different feel.
"This year is just a new look," Jones said.
"We certainly haven't betrayed our history, in fact we're embracing it as hard as we can ging forward.
"It reinforces that we're really serious about this year. This our opportunity to win the Super Rugby title this year and we're not taking it lightly.”
The new jersey is proving popular within the playing group, despite the mixed reactions from fans on social media today. The players have appreciated the new design as well as commenting on the comfortability and breathability of the new kit.
Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa said he was a fan of the new design.
"I really like it," Alaalatoa said. "The jersey is really light and for us big fella's that's really important because you don't want any extra weight on you.
"I really like the colour too, they say the darker the colour the skinnier you look so for us props that's great," Alaalatoa joked.
Alaalatoa said he enjoyed being centre stage at the launch of the new jersey.
"We got the chance to do a catwalk and I took the most of the opportunity as I always do," Alaalatoa said.
The big prop said it was a great opportunity to run out in new colours for the Brumbies.
"To be able to run out there in a whole different colour is a huge privilege. We're still going to go out there and continue the Brumby name and Brumby structure but to do it in a new colour is a big honour."
Brumbies backrower Jarrad Butler said he loved the new jersey.
"I really like it," said Butler. "When we got told they were going to be designing a new jersey everybody was pretty excited to see what they would come up with.
"It looks good and it feels really good as well."
Butler also added that change isn't always a bad thing.
"Change is good sometimes and I think in this circumstance it's a really good thing. Everybody has been really enthusiastic about something a little bit different. Hopefully that's reflected in the way we play this season.
"We want to keep the way we play with our hardnosed characteristic but hopefully bring something new as well."
Meanwhile, the Waratahs announced special edition 'Playing for NSW since 1874' jersey for fans.
Waratahs announce a special edition jersey for fans in 2016 with a unique 'Playing for NSW since 1874' design on the front.
The design, created by the NSW Waratahs, will feature on the 2016 training jersey (see image) as well as the retail version of the home and away jerseys.
Waratahs CEO Greg Harris said the special edition jersey is unlike any design before.
"Our 2016 on-field jerseys will be released next February, but we wanted to offer a jersey that the entire NSW rugby community could wear with pride, and that would inspire all NSW rugby players from the youngest junior player to the highest elite levels and our past players.
"It connects to our history, to the very first roots of NSW rugby, which dates back to June 5 in 1874 when the very first Southern Rugby Union was established. It was renamed the NSW Rugby Union in 1882.
"As one of the oldest rugby unions in the world, playing for NSW since 1874 is something to be commemorated.
Sources: @BrumbiesRugby & @NSWWaratahs
