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Kangaroos legend ‘shattered’ Australia’s World Cup team won’t wear position numbers – with decision quashed as a destruction of the sport’s tradition
- Former Kangaroos legends have slammed the new World Cup numbering system
- Instead of traditional positions, numbers are given in chronological order
- Steve Renouf, Matthew Johns and coach Mal Meninga said they ‘hate it’
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Kangaroos legends continue to voice their dismay at the rugby number debacle at the Rugby League World Cup.
Instead of following the traditional 1-17 numbers based on position, the 11 already-capped Kangaroos in this year’s 24-man roster have been numbered depending on the order in which they made test debuts.
The 13 in the roster that have yet to debut have been numbered from 12 to 24 in alphabetical order.
Steve Renouf, the savior of Australia’s 1992 World Cup final who played 11 Tests, says he is “stunned” that the current kangaroos will not wear their position numbers in the tournament this year.
Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga is scathing about decision to scrap traditional numbering system for rugby league jerseys at World Cup
Renouf wore the No. 3 jersey in the final 30 years ago and scored the winning try on his test debut in the 10-6 win over Great Britain.
The numbering system is part of the Rugby League World Cup rules, which were signed two years ago by the teams that qualified.
Even Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, who was also Renouf’s center partner in the 1992 final, isn’t in favor of the move, saying just that on SEN Radio.
“It mostly takes the excitement out of your debutants because they play songs that have no meaning to them,” he said.
“The supporters will try to understand who is in the 24 jersey playing in the middle.”
Latrell Mitchell will wear the usual No. 3 center jersey – instead he wears No. 8 due to the time he debuted for Australia compared to teammates
Renouf told AAP he agreed with his former teammate.
“If you’re a center, like I was, it’s number 3 or number 4,” he said.
“Imagine starting on the team and getting 24. People would always think you’re a spare.
‘My Australian sweater is the ultimate sweater for me. It has a place of honor. I wore No.3 on the debut and it will always be special.
“That’s why I’m shattered that the players can’t play in their position numbers this year. I understand it’s 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 Latrell Mitchell slated to wear the No. 8 jersey in the middle – he snapped a photo of his 1992 Test jersey and posted it on social media with the words: ‘Had the privilege of wearing this sweater 30 years ago! With my number!’.
Kangaroos legend Steve Renouf is ‘stunned’ at decision to scrap traditional numbering
Knight legend Matthew Johns, who played nine Tests for the Kangaroos, was also scathing about the mind-boggling decision.
“I can’t believe it, every game you should earn your jersey one to 17, the few sixes (test jerseys) I have, it’s the special ones because they’re the ones you earned,” he said on SEN.
“I really hate it… the traditional jerseys and numbers are part of the history of the sport, and you shouldn’t mess with them.”
Nine-time Kangaroos representative Matty Johns was also critical of the system, saying it is a big part of rugby league’s proud history
The Kangaroos kick off their World Cup campaign against Fiji at 5.30am (AEST) on Sunday morning, and you can follow all the action on Daily Mail Australia’s live blog of the match.