Crushers, Seagulls, and Reds jerseys are all reportedly waiting an official sign off for RETRO reproductions (or HERITAGE, whatever they’re calling them these days).
Fingers crossed they get them as accurate as possible, as the quality and accuracy has certainly waned over the years, the early made in Australia designs were all quite accurate, as you would expect them to be since they’d be made in the same factory and method as the originals.
I’ve heard whispers over the years that one of the reasons they’ve started introducing inaccuracies (for instance Manly’s 1996 jersey having a 95 badge and 95/early 96 Pepsi logo) because people were passing them off as authentic originals. You’d think there would be a much better way to do that (perhaps a large stitched on badge on the inside of the collar that would leave obvious marks if you seam-ripped it). I reckon the decreased accuracy and quality is more a result of moving the manufacturing to China and a general lack of attention and care.
Anyway, these new Retro/Heritage reproductions will reportedly be manufactured by Tidwell as opposed to Classic. Not sure what the reasoning is behind the switch, would be great to have some more info on that topic. Tidwell manufactured the 94 Roosters away that came out last season, I don’t have one on hand to judge the fabric quality but the badges looked quite cheap and obviously non-original, and the Samsung and City Ford sponsorships were very noticeably wrong.
If anyone has more info that would be greatly appreciated, the Retro releases are something I really wish the NRL could get right.
