World Cup 2022: Kangaroos jersey outrage grows after 'worst idea' fiasco

The backlash to the Kangaroos' decision to allow a change in the jersey numbers for the Rugby League World Cup continues to mount after the team line-up was announced for the first game.

Australia has opted for a new number system at the World Cup in the UK, which will see players wear the number that represents the order in which they made their debut for their country within the team.

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Penrith lock Isaiah Yeo traditionally wears No.13 for his club and will line-up in that position for the Kangaroos.

However, Yeo will wear No.24 for the Kangaroos during the World Cup based on the fact he hasn't debuted yet.

The new system based on when a player makes their debut has not sat well with a number of voices in the rugby league community.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga blasted the idea of changing the numbering system and said he felt it took away from the players making their debut.

However, the jersey number fiasco went to a new level after the Kangaroos announced their line-up for the opening game against Fiji.

A normal line-up would start with the No.1 for the fullback, No.2 for the winger and work its way to the final bench player at No.17.

Captain James Tedesco is fortunate enough to wear No.1 as the longest serving player.

But, winger Josh Addo-Carr is wearing the No.9 jersey.

The numbers on the sheet were described as 'lotto numbers' with veteran NRL reporter Phil Rothfield slamming the 'disgrace'.

All the players will wear the jersey in order of when they made their debut, other than captain James Tedesco who will wear the No.1.

Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will wear the No.2 jersey since he is the second-longest serving player and made his debut back in 2011.

Ben Hunt will wear the No.3 jersey.

The remaining players making their debut on the tour will wear the jersey number based on alphabetical order.

The Kangaroos number fiasco hasn't sat well with many greats of the game.

Meninga admitted he wasn't consulted about it two years ago and doesn't think it resonates with the players or fans.

"We signed off on it about two years ago, so I have no real comeback on it… We had no idea when it was signed off on," Meninga said on SEN.

"We have 13 debutants on tour, so the jersey that they get to play in for the very first test is their tour number, Isaiah Yeo is No.24 mainly because of where he sits on the alphabet, he is the premier 13 of our competition.

"It takes away from the excitement of your debutants in particular, having their very first test match jersey and it's a number that doesn't resonate with anyone, because it's not the position he plays in."

Former rugby league player Matthew Johns blasted the new system and claimed it 'doesn't make sense'.

"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."

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