Why do rugby union players wear number 26 jearsey?

Question

In the Australia v Ireland game in Melbourne on 14 June 2008 Nathan Sharpe got a cut to the head that needed stitches as it was bleeding everywhere. He went off, and came back on later wearing a number "26" jersey. Is there a particular reason or rule why they dont have two jumpers for each number? Why would they print a number 26 jumper when they could have two of each number? Just dont see why they would have a number 26 printed instead of either the same jersey numbers printed twice, or just wearing a blank jersey.

Answer 1

because if a team has two of the same number nobody can tell if they are reserves or not, because one team can only have 30 or 32 players (15 on at a time),  

the playing team:1-15

the reserves:16-22

and the spares(just in case reserves are injured):22-32

so if the team had two of each number it there would be more players than the rugby laws allow

Answer 2

because its easier to take 5 extra jerseys than 22 extra ones. not every jersey gets torn/ excessively bloodied at every game.

Answer 3

Purely economic. One jersey each for players and reserves and a few extra jerseys with higher numbers in the event that one or a couple get damaged/bloodied.

Answer 4

You answered your question. Most teams dont take two sets of the same number along but extra sets with different numbers.