Nicknames of Australian Sports Teams

So, we’ve been back in Australia for a few years now, and I’m still trying to wrap my head around the weird and wonderful world of Aussie team sports. Maybe it’s because sports like cricket and rugby aren’t exactly mainstream outside the Commonwealth of Nations. Or maybe it’s because Aussies have a knack for giving their teams hilarious nicknames that leave me scratching my head when I read the news.

News headlines

„France beats the Matildas 2:0“
“AFL grand final loss to the Eagles at the MCG reopens old Magpies wounds”
“The Suns didn’t match the Tigers’ offer”
“Wallabies need to add points to progress against Pumas.”
“An end-of-season Test match between the Kangaroos and Tonga is set to be rubber.”
“Wallaroos get their revenge on World Cup hosts Ireland”
“Jillaroos rookies out for more highlights”
“Aussie Pearls win first world sevens title”
“Iran make play for Socceroos’ young gun”
“Joeys qualify for under-17 world champs”
“Aussie Sharks swoop on silver in World Cup”
“Australia’s Opals beaten 73-71 by Serbia”
“Sutton camp eye new Rabbitohs deal soon”
“Roos call looms for Roosters Mitchel”
“Dragons thump Broncos”

Can you identify the sport from the team name?

These nicknames all sound the same to me. I wonder if you would be able to answer these questions:

1. Do the Wallaroos, Jillaroos, Socceroos, Rabbitohs and Kangaroos play the same sport? ¹⁾
2. And are the Matildas, Goannas and Kookaburras all women’s teams? ²⁾
3. Do the Sharks, Stingers, Crocs, Barramundies and Stingrays all compete in water sports? And which kind of water sport? ³⁾
4. Furthermore, do the “drop bears” compete in Quidditch (Harry Potter’s favourite sport)? ⁴⁾
5. In addition, which cities represent the following rugby teams: Broncos, Cowboys, Titans, Rabitohs, Panthers, Roosters, Dragons, Eels, Sea Eagles and Tigers? ⁵⁾

At the end of this article, you will find the answers.

Australian regions have even more interesting, confusing and funny names, such as: the mighty mozzies (see this Guardian article).

Australians aren’t afraid to have a laugh with their team names, with classics like the Cockroaches and Cane Toads gracing the State of Origin. Yes, you heard it right – those are real team names, not the punchline of a bad joke!

Australian International Team Names Quiz

Think you’ve got what it takes to remember all of Australia’s national sports team nicknames? Give it a go, but don’t be surprised if you’re stumped – even my Aussie wife and I couldn’t get them all right!

Have fun!

1. Wallaroos = Rugby Union Women
   Jillaroos = Rugby League Women
   Socceroos = Football (Soccer) men
   Rabbitohs = Rugby League Men South Sydney
   Kangaroos = Rugby League Men
2. Matildas = Football (Soccer) Women
   Goannas = Basketball Men (deaf)
   Kookaburras = Field hockey Men
3. Sharks = Water Polo Men but also Lacrosse Men
   Stingers = Water Polo Women
   Crocs = Basketball Men U21 but also Handball Men or Lacrosse Men U21
   Barramundies = Ultimate frisbee mixed
   Stingrays = Ultimate frisbee Women U23
4. The „Drop bears“ are really the national Quidditch Team of Australia
5. Brisbane Broncos
   Townsville Cowboys
   Gold Coast Titans
   South Sydney Rabitohs
   Penrith Panthers
   Sydney Roosters
   George Illawarra Dragons
   Parramatta Eels
   Manly-Warringah (Sydney) Sea Eagles
   Wests Tigers (Inner West und Western Sydney)