BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 06: Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs celebrates scoring a try with team mates during the round 10 NRL match between Melbourne Storm and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on May 06, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Footy fans have blasted the South Sydney Rabbitohs after the team looked unrecognisable in their Anzac Day jerseys on Thursday.
Souths, looking to end their torrid run of defeats that has heaped pressure on Jason Demetriou, stepped out in a special strip to commemorate the landmark day on the Australian calendar.
Instead of wearing their iconic green and red, the Bunnies wore a white and navy blue number, leaving many fans watching on baffled.
A third fan added: ‘I wonder if The Rabbitohs playing in Cowboy jerseys will make them play better.’
Melbourne Storm, Souths’ opponents on Thursday night, also debuted their own Anzac Day kit, but it was in keeping with the club’s traditional purple colour scheme.
Souths explained that the jersey was a tribute to the Royal Australian Navy before their game.
The club said: ‘The jersey underscores our enduring commitment to the values we share with the Royal Australian Navy, including mateship, high performance, commitment to the team and achieving success.
‘The 2024 ANZAC Jersey proudly mirrors the Navy’s ‘sailor suits’ ceremonial uniform, similar to those worn by Royal Australian Navy personnel in the Second World War.’
The controversial strip did little to change Souths’ fortunes, as a Cameron Munster masterclass saw the Storm batter their NRL rivals 54-20.
With Gold Coast toppling the Warriors earlier in the day, the loss saw Souths tumble back to the bottom of the NRL ladder.
