Number's up: The 13 reasons why NRL's 1-13 jersey system should be abolished

The Kangaroos players will wear designated squad numbers instead of the traditional 1-13 jersey system. The 1997 Super League season in Australia allowed players to choose their own number. In the NRL, each team has a 30-man senior squad so give them jerseys 1 to 30. Surnames should also be on the back of NRL player jerseys. In rugby league, every other piece of playing strip is adorned with sponsors. It shouldn't be too much of an issue to have their name above their number and add another business logo somewhere else.

There will be a few weeks when it's hard to work out who's who. Once fans know that certain players wear the same number every week, it'll be easier for them to identify them at the games or on TV.

The current jersey system in Australia is not the most revolutionary. It was introduced in 1989 to fall in line with the international system. Benny Elias went from wearing 12 as Balmain hooker to 9. John Raper wore No.15 on Kangaroo tours. Chad Townsend brands his YouTube and social media content with a CT7 logo.

Players can build their brand with an identifiable number. Darren Lockyer wore No.1 at the Broncos for many years before switching to No 6.

Young fans follow players more than teams. They are more interested in following specific players than in teams of the sports they follow.

NRL clubs cannot retire a jersey number for a club legend. Johnathan Thurston, Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith are examples of players who should be honoured.

The current jersey system should be abolished. English clubs switched to squad numbers in 1996.

The current system makes little sense. Teams are split into two groups of four players on each edge, four middles and a fullback. Locks wear 13 because they are at the back of the scrum formation. Hookers are there in attack and fullbacks “lock the scrum” in defence.

Jason Taumalolo was a lock for the Cowboys. Reuben Cotter played for them as a front-rower. Mitch Kenny and Api Koroisau played lock at Penrith. Ben Hunt and Harry Grant played as locks for Queensland.

Coaches don't stick to the Tuesday team list announcements anyway. Trent Robinson makes late changes to his team every week.

The NRL's 1-13 jersey system should be abolished. Some people might not like it but it would be a better idea than some that have been green-lit in the past few years.

The 1-13 jersey system should be abolished. It would annoy the angry white male dinosaurs.

The NRL's 1-13 jersey system should be abolished. It would save the old gear stewards a lot of time.

NRL should introduce more ways of distancing itself from rugby union. It's not second nature to know the difference between the codes.