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Matty Johns hits out at Kangaroos over jersey system for World Cup

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·3-min read
Matty Johns, pictured here at an NRL game.
Matty Johns isn't a fan of the Kangaroos' new jersey system for the World Cup. Image: Getty

Newcastle Knights legend Matty Johns has hit out over the Kangaroos' plan to change their jersey number system for the Rugby League World Cup.

Aussie players won't wear the traditional numbers based on positions at the World Cup in England, but will be numbered in the order they made their debut for their country.

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The only exception is Kangaroos captain James Tedesco, who will wear the No.1 on the back like he always would have.

Daly Cherry-Evans, who made his debut for Australia the earliest in 2011, will wear the No. 2 jersey, while Ben Hunt will wear the No. 3.

Any squad members who haven't debuted yet will be numbered in alphabetical order, with Nathan Cleary getting No.14 and Isaah Yeo No.24.

The new system was reportedly introduced by assistant coach Michael Hagan and mirrors what occurs in the UK Super League, with players given a number for the entire season.

“I actually don’t mind the idea," rugby league reporter Christian Nicolussi told SEN radio last week.

“The players were having a bit of a joke about it. Daly Cherry-Evans, I don’t think he’s ever worn the number two in his life.

“It’s the way it has to roll, I know some other nations will opt for the 1-17 option, they were going to take a stab at what their likely line-up will be, but (that’s) the way the Australians have done it and I don’t mind it.

“I know it’s going to look a bit weird. I can only think it’s going to be a commentators nightmare trying to call players out of position, but that’s the way it’s going to work.”

Reuben Cotter and Nathan Cleary, pictured here during an Australia Kangaroos training camp.
Reuben Cotter and Nathan Cleary take part in a gym session during an Australia Kangaroos training camp. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

However a number of fans and pundits have savaged the new system, with Johns expressing his displeasure.

“I cannot believe it, each game you should earn your jersey one through 17, the couple of sixes (test jerseys) I got, they’re the special ones because they’re the ones you earned,” he said on SEN radio.

“During the game, I think looking at Latrell (Mitchell) in the No.8 jersey, for the organisers I think they’ve got it wrong, and Australia I think we’ve got it wrong, I honestly hate it.

“The traditional jerseys and numbers are part of the history of the sport, and you shouldn’t tamper with it.

“For the people who are the casual observer … you'd be saying sorry 'who is what', particularly these days with players who wander in the field, you have forwards who play a bit, they’ll be just saying 'who are these guys'.

"It doesn’t make sense to me at all.”

Kangaroos jersey numbers for World Cup

  1. James Tedesco

  2. Daly Cherry-Evans

  3. Ben Hunt

  4. Valentine Holmes

  5. Jake Trbojevic

  6. Reagan Campbell-Gillard

  7. Cameron Munster

  8. Latrell Mitchell

  9. Josh Addo-Carr

  10. Jack Wighton

  11. Cameron Murray

  12. Matt Burton

  13. Pat Carrigan

  14. Nathan Cleary

  15. Lindsay Collins

  16. Reuben Cotter

  17. Angus Crichton

  18. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui

  19. Campbell Graham

  20. Harry Grant

  21. Liam Martin

  22. Jeremiah Nanai

  23. Murray Taulagi

  24. Isaah Yeo

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