Rugby league: 'Nan's tea towel': NRL divided over New Zealand Warriors' bush jersey

Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck seemed to enjoy playing in the 'bushshirt'. Photo / Photosport

The New Zealand Warriors have set tongues wagging but it's got nothing to do with their on-field performance.

The side debuted an alternate jersey for the first time labelled their bush shirt, which was widely panned when it first came into the Warriors' store late last year.

The NZ Herald went a far as to compare it to some of the worst sporting outfits of all time.

The jersey, which is yellow and black to commemorate Wellington's traditional colours, was meant to be worn when the side played the Cowboys in Wellington, until the season was up-ended by the coronavirus pandemic and the side was forced to stay in Australia.

For the commentator of the Warriors match against the Titans, it was a miss however.

Steve Roach and Corey Parker were asked whether they thought it was "nanna's tea towel, a lumberjack's flannel or a good footy jersey".

"I'm not real big on it, it's making me cross-eyed," Roach said.

"Nan has a tablecloth with something similar, but it's for a good cause guys so get behind it," Parker added.

But on social media, the reaction was much more mixed, between those wanting to avert their eyes and others considering putting in an order.

Remember when the Warriors forgot their women’s jerseys for the Nines? Shame they didn’t do that today with this one. #NRLTitansWarriors

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) July 10, 2020

This Warriors kit is awesome. I want one #nrltitanswarriors

— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) July 10, 2020

Ummm this warriors jersey is sick. I definitely want one. #nrltitanswarriors

— Shannon McCann (@Shannon_McCann) July 10, 2020

This @NZWarriors away strip is mint! They have already won this game just by running out in this finery. #NRLTitansWarriors

— Roy Ward (@rpjward) July 10, 2020

Those Warriors jerseys are so ugly but I love them. Hilarious #NRL

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) July 10, 2020

Well at least people have strong opinions about it.

In a documentary before the season, Warriors CEO Cameron George hit back at critics of the jersey in an expletive filled rant.

"We even put a f*****g jumper up (online) and everyone in Australia and New Zealand made fun of us and takes the piss out of us," George said as part of the All In documentary the club released.

"Well f*** it. Let's put that s*** aside, do it for our fans, they're the most important part of this. And let's do it for ourselves."

Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck seemed to enjoy playing in the 'bushshirt'. Photo / Photosport

Similarly, interim coach Todd Payten doesn't care what it looks like as long at the team get the win.

"It's a different jersey, I think it will look good – I don't mind it," Payten said.

"I don't care what colour we play in, I just know we'll be ready whichever jersey we're wearing."

At halftime, the Warriors led 12-6 but should have led by more after a controversially denied try just before the break.

But impotent attack after the break held the door open for the Titans to romp back with two lucky tries to claim its first win on the Gold Coast since April last year.