SINGLETS, painted logos and even shades of purple and pink.
All 16 NRL teams unveiled their jersey’s for the NRL Auckland Nines this morning — and clearly, the creative juices of every club have been flowing during the off season.
The Melbourne Storm and Wests Tigers were represented by Ryan Hinchcliffe and Chris Lawrence respectively, with the pair drawing most attention with their singlet strip, which looked more akin to AFL, than rugby league.
“It feels alright, we could of probably put a better physique in it today,’’ Hinchcliffe said.
The Nines tournament commences in Auckland on January 30.
Tom Sangster reviews the Auckland Nines jerseys (main photo. Top L-R, then bottom L-R):
Dragons
So much detail it’s hard to see where the jersey starts and Josh Dugan’s tattoos end.
Raiders
Green, fluoro and psychedelic. The Raiders have taken fashion advice from Stereosonic.
Knights
Simple, plain and lacking spark. Just like Newcastle under Wayne Bennett.
Warriors
Inspired by Todd Carney without a shirt.
Sea Eagles
The only thing missing from this surf-inspired design is a Piping Hot logo. Hopefully the Sea Eagles have something else in the, er, pipeline for next year.
Eels
Jay Jays special. Two for $20.
Rabbitohs
A modern take on a classic. A bit like Rusty in Les Misérables.
Panthers
White. Very white. Presumably in homage to Gus Gould’s hair.
Tigers
The meeting went something like this.
Executive #1: “So GWS is encroaching on our territory, what can we do to ward them off?â€
Executive #2: “I know, let’s create our own AFL teamâ€.
Cowboys
The defending champs have gone for a very different style to their fluoro number from last year. Presumably to avoid a jinx/conspiracy.
Storm
BREAKING: The Storm won’t send a squad to the Nines. Instead, they will take the Carlton AFL team.
Sharks
Black and blue. How you’d feel after a night at Northies with the EBC.
Bulldogs
The detailed print of a bulldog on the front shows Canterbury will be on the attack in 2015. Except for James Graham, he’ll be attacking his own teammates.
Broncos
Almost exactly the same as the regular season jersey. Don’t want to confuse the “two headsâ€.
Roosters
After winning just one of four games at the Nines last year, the Roosters are looking to earn their stripes. A lot of stripes. On the socks as well as the jersey.
Titans
Bright and tight. The uniform of Cavill Avenue.
Originally published as Shockers galore as Nines jerseys revealed