Carter Gordon, Lori Cramer and Akira Kelly all share pride in the special jersey unveiled for the Queensland Rugby Union's 15th Indigenous Round.
Flyhalf Gordon and his teammates will wear the 2026 Reds Indigenous jersey in Friday night's match against the Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium.
Fullback Cramer and new flyhalf Kelly are both proud Indigenous women who will enjoy the privilege of wearing the Indigenous jersey in all away games played by the Reds' women's team this season.
The women play their final trial on Sunday afternoon from 2pm at Ballymore Stadium against the Fijian Drua.
The unique jersey has a striking design created by self-taught artist Kane Wright and brought to life by Canterbury of New Zealand.
Kelly instantly appreciated the significant symbolism to the jersey.
"It's always a privilege to wear an Indigenous jersey," Kelly said.
"You've got 144 dots to represent the 144 years of Queensland rugby. You've got the Brisbane River which is a sacred place for the Aboriginal people of Brisbane.
"The meeting circles represent places of meeting where we have yarns and come together."
Wright expanded: "Those meeting places are where people come together to share stories and connect with one another as cultures and communities do throughout Queensland.
“It’s the same on the field which brings together players, spectators and the club to, basically, become one. Around that I’ve tried to capture the land, sea and sky with kangaroo footprints along the river and our guiding elders, representing people of wisdom, in the corners.”
Gordon spoke of the strong message to people and supporters across the state.
"Unreal. It's pretty cool to represent Indigenous people, not just in Brisbane but all over Queensland. We're not the Brisbane Reds but the Queensland Reds."
Wright, a proud Dharug man, feels a strong connection to the state with family living in Queensland.
Winning the Reds’ annual Indigenous Jersey Design Competition gave Wright the chance to connect community and rugby.
“In this jersey, I’ve tried to capture the story of Queensland rugby and the story of my people,” Wright said.
