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he Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has announced a new naming rights partnership with insurance broker Gallagher for the Australian Kangaroos.

The multi-year deal will see the Australian international rugby league side renamed the Gallagher Kangaroos, while Gallagher will also become the official insurance broker of the NRL.

NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said the NRL is excited to welcome Gallagher to its corporate family in 2021.

“Playing for the Kangaroos is the pinnacle of our sport,” Abdo said.

“It’s a jumper steeped in history and to have Gallagher’s branding across the front is a coup for our game.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with the Gallagher team to grow our partnership in the years ahead,” he said.

Gallagher CEO, Sarah Lyons, said: “Everything we provide in insurance, risk management and consulting services comes down to helping our client face their future with confidence.”

“The same is true with our support for rugby league.

“We believe that in every rugby league club and team, like with all our clients, there are dreams, desires waiting to be fulfilled.

“We are proud to help our clients achieve their potential,” she said.

Alongside the partnership announcement, the ARLC also announced the Gallagher Kangaroos merit team, naming the best 17 players from the Ampol State of Origin 2020 series.

Announcing the squad, ARLC chairman, Peter V’landys, said the Commission was proud to work with the selection panel to name the squad after the challenges of 2020.

“There is no greater honour in rugby league than representing your country, and while the pandemic has stopped the Gallagher Kangaroos from playing this year, it is still incredibly important for the Commission to acknowledge the best 17 from the Origin series,” V’landys said.

“This Merit Team includes some of the most exciting young players in the competition who I’m sure will be part of the Gallagher Kangaroos program for many years.

“I also want to acknowledge the sacrifices of these 17 players who went from a club bubble to a State of Origin bubble.

“They sacrificed more than anyone in our game to ensure we completed an entire schedule.

“I want to say thank you for those sacrifices,” he said.