The Brisbane Broncos will make a striking and nostalgic change to their jerseys this weekend – one that hasn’t been seen in the NRL for nearly three decades.
For Saturday night’s clash against the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland, the Broncos will run out with player surnames emblazoned across their backs.
This decision comes after New Zealand’s strict advertising laws forced the club to remove its front-of-jersey sponsor, The Star Casino.
With gaming promotions banned under New Zealand legislation, Brisbane seized the opportunity to celebrate their players by placing surnames in the prime position on their playing kits.
The move is a throwback to the Super League era in 1997, when iconic names such as Renouf, Langer, Walters, Lazarus, Thorn and Tallis featured prominently on Broncos jerseys.
It also represents a sentimental moment for the club’s Kiwi players, who will wear their family names with pride in front of local fans.
The jersey Adam Reynolds will wear for the Brisbane Broncos clash against the New Zealand Warriors
The change has been made because displaying the sponsorship of Star Casino is banned in New Zealand
New Zealand Test forward Jordan Riki returns from a two-week suspension and said the jersey change adds meaning to what’s already a special match for him.
‘It’s going to be a special thing for me to be able to return and play in front of my family,’ Riki said.
‘There’ll be a full crew of Rikis there so I’m hugely excited to get home and play on home soil and represent my family.’
Joining Riki in proudly wearing their heritage are teammates Reece Walsh, Xavier Willison and Jesse Arthars, who also share New Zealand roots.
The decision has already drawn praise from fans, who are calling for surnames on jerseys to become a permanent fixture.
One fan wrote, ‘Every week please.’ Another said, ‘We get rid of collars, we bring them back, we bring back names on the jerseys … absolute trendsetters.’
Others are even hoping to get their hands on the custom kits, with one supporter asking, ‘Wonder if we can buy them. I’d love a Haas one.’
Previously, the Canterbury Bulldogs have voiced support for permanent surnames on NRL jerseys, aligning with global sporting standards.
The move is a throwback to the 1997 Super League competition when the Broncos wore names on the backs of their jerseys
Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton believes adding player names would create deeper fan engagement.
‘It’s about pushing the boundaries… It’s about us putting the Bulldogs on the map,’ Warburton told SEN.
He added that the club is in talks with the NRL and is finalising a submission for the 2026 Las Vegas showcase, where they hope to debut the name-back jerseys on the global stage.
‘Something as simple as that we think will really engage the fans,’ Warburton said.
While names are already used in representative matches like State of Origin, they have not featured in the NRL since the Melbourne Storm’s inaugural season in 1998.
The NRL is yet to formally consider the idea, with sponsorship implications standing in the way. Ad space on the back of jerseys has been tightly held real estate for more than two decades.
Warburton acknowledged the challenge but insisted the shift could actually enhance brand exposure.
‘Some of the early research has suggested it will actually amplify it just in terms of the amount of interest and eyeballs on that space,’ he said.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire wants to see his side respond to last week’s loss against the Sydney Roosters
Jordan Riki returns from suspension to bolster the Broncos side as they travel across the ditch
The Broncos are looking to respond on the field after last week’s disappointing 26–16 loss to the Roosters.
Coach Michael Maguire was blunt in his post-match assessment. ‘It was a harsh lesson. We needed to be more physical. The Roosters turned up and had more physicality.’
Broncos legend Trevor Gillmeister echoed those sentiments, urging the side to start ‘whacking and hurting blokes’ with tougher defence.
Jordan Riki said the message was received loud and clear. ‘We have got to man up and front up,’ he said. ‘On Monday we had a fairly decent wrestle session. It was pretty physical.’
He noted that even players from Queensland Cup joined the session to ramp up the intensity.
‘I’ve had quite a few conversations with Madge and defence coach Benny Teo as well, and I definitely do believe that’s one thing I can bring — a bit of physicality,’ Riki said.
Despite being suspended for a high shot, Riki said he won’t shy away from aggressive defence but knows he must be smarter.
‘It is a bit frustrating at times… but we’ve got to be smarter.’
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