.................. Squad numbers on the backs of jerseys In 1911 there was a sensational innovation at a local "Australian Football" match in Sydney when the players of both teams each wore a different number on his back. The Sydney soccer clubs Leichhardt and HMS Powerful followed suit, and in 1911 wore squad numbers on the their backs for the first time in world football history. In 1912 it was mandatory in New South Wales (Australia) for players at official tournaments to wear numbers on their backs. Therefore, wearing squad numbers on the backs of jerseys is an Australian invention – not a British one, as they have claimed since the 1930's.
I did read somewhere about the surprise of the All Blacks when they played their first match in Australia against numbered opponents, though the NZRU adopted the idea soon afterwards. Also, I have an idea that the Scottish Rugby Union regarded the wearing of numbers by the 1905 All Blacks as a step towards professionalism, and it was one of the reasons why the SRU opted not to play against New Zealand in 1924 (a dispute over the division of the 1905 profits had something to do with it too). Gareth
