THEY’RE only two years old, but Chile’s national rugby league team is already opting for change of image ahead of Saturday’s game against Poland at Liverpool, western Sydney.
Known initially by their nickname ‘Los Caciques’ (The Chiefs), the Chileans have become the ‘Weichafes’ (Warriors) in a move that has great significance.
Why does it mean so much?
Basically when Chilean Rugby League was first formed, it consisted wholly of Australian-based Chilenos, who decided on the Caciques name.
However, due to the team’s success and the hard work of volunteers back in Chile, the nation now has its own domestic competition, with the Weichafes representing the best of that competition.
When Chile sent a domestic squad to play Argentina in Miramar in November 2016, they did so under the banner of the Weichafes.
The decision by Australian-based players to drop the Cacique mascot is in reverence and solidarity with the sport’s pioneers back home.
“It makes sense to have the same mascot, no matter where in the world Chile is competing,” Chilean vice-captain Jonathan Espinoza said.
“All our Australian players appreciate the people in Chile are the custodians of the sport for their nation and a lot of thought and effort went into the Weichafe name and design.
“The first step for us is adopting the same logo and nickname on both sides of the Pacific, and by the end of the year in Australia we intend on swapping our predominantly red uniform for the same predominantly white uniform worn by Chilean domestic players.
“This will make it easier for supporters, government officials and sponsors to recognise we are all part of an exciting new movement for the sport in Chile.”
Espinoza, who spent several weeks in the offseason conducting development work throughout Chile, has been named to start at second row for the Weichafes in Saturday’s clash against the Polish.
CHILE (Positional)
- James Horvat
- Jose Nitor-Alvear
- Joshua Munoz
- Ben Fisher
- Jon Munoz
- Brad Millar
- Trent Millar
- Eduardo Wegener
- Israel Perez-Bueno
- Josh Betros
- Patrick Caamano
- Jonathan Espinoza
- Peter Betros
- Mana Castillo-Sioni
- Alvaro Avaria
- John ‘Eugene’ Araya
- Jaxson Uzabeaga
- William Climpson
- Sergio Montenegro
(One to be omitted)
Coach: Grant Mitchell / Assistant: Trev Smith
Manager: Carlos Astorga Gonzalez
POLAND (Positional)
- Matt Haskie
- Jayden Zelezniak
- Ben Field
- Dwayne Mosley
- Sean Kowalski
- Alex Kowalski
- Cheyne Pike
- Zac Pitt
- Jaydon Sienkiewicz
- Stephen Kolodziej
- Mitchell Sahw
- Ben Scerbanik
- Todd Mosley
- Ethan Niszczot
- Jordan Owen
- Mark Chmurycz
- James Usher
- Jackson Field
Coach: Ellis Hurworth
Manager: Shane Young