Tis the season for new jersey releases it would seem and the Queensland Reds are the latest team to launch a new look for next year’s Super Rugby season. Whereas the Brumbies’ launch was all about tradition and heritage, the Reds have opted for a more cutting edge approach to their jersey, typified by the television commercial their in-house content team has produced.
Regardless of their on-field performances, there’s never been any doubt raised over the quality of the digital work being produced in house at the QRU and this ad is just another example.
As for the jersey itself? Well it looks the goods. Still Red, which is nice considering each of the other four Aussie teams will wear predominantly blue. The big promotional piece is around this ‘million dollar jersey’ and it’s remains unclear where this million dollars has been spent.
For what it’s worth there’s plenty of “ground breaking” and “innovation” around the jersey, some of them identified as being:
The jerseys are made with BLK’s exclusive Exotek fabric throughout the main body. Exotek was created exclusively by BLK to enhance athlete performance, while maximising player comfort and manoeuvrability. Exotek is the strongest, lightest and most breathable and soft-to-touch fabric ever used by BLK with its four-way stretch properties setting it apart as a market leader.
or
Each jersey features the introduction of BLK’s full Silicon Gel grip through the St.George Sponsor logo, to assist with ball carrying and grip.
or
The player’s jerseys have been specifically cut and tailored to meet the requirements and shape of each individual athlete’s body and featuring a combination of three fabrics strategically engineered to benefit the athletes’ comfort and mobility on field. Lycra has been integrated into the neck opening, underarms and sleeve hems to allow maximum stretch and comfort.
and
Each Jersey features seam-free Lycra underarm panels, a lycra neck opening, and Exodry side paneling, designed and positioned to wick away sweat and moisture from the athletes body.
There’s even reinforced cover stitched seams!!!
What it all means to the layman? It’s hard to say. I think we fans would be ok with the team running out in full tuxedos as long as the team was performing better than it have over recent years. Some exciting young players and some hard heads added to the coaching team can give us some hope of this. What role the jersey has may be little or may be a lot – let’s just hope it’s positive and significantly so.
