NRL does a good job with Anzac Day – shame about some of the jerseys

April 27, 2026 — 5:41am

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Anzac Day should and does warrant mixed feelings, but each year rugby league drapes it in what historian Peter Cochrane called a “magic cloak” designed to sanctify everything that it touches.

Whether a football code should be getting involved in such ceremonies is a question that is always worth asking; we hear a bit too much about rugby league defenders making desperate tackles “in the Anzac spirit”.

That said, the NRL does a good job with pre-match formalities, including a moment of silent reflection that commemorates rather than celebrates the sacrifice. It’s a fine line.

But then there are some of the special Anzac Round jerseys worn this year, which were just not good. Canberra’s had an ill-conceived camo design.

Some of the others, such as those worn by the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Dolphins and Eels, looked like they had done heavy service in military laundries.

Since the Tigers’........

© The Sydney Morning Herald