The All Blacks will be wearing a new jersey in 2011, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and its Principal Partner adidas have announced.
The new jersey, which has been designed and tested in conjunction with several senior All Blacks including captain Richie McCaw, will be unveiled for the first time when the All Blacks take the field against South Africa in their opening Investec Tri Nations match at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday 30 July.
The new strip will mark the biggest changes – in technology and design – to the iconic All Blacks jersey in more than a decade.
The jersey design has been a well-guarded secret and all McCaw will say about the jersey is that “it is revolutionary and also respectful to the All Blacks' long and proud history.”
“It's not change for change's sake. I'm a traditionalist when it comes to rugby and fans can rest assured that it still looks like a rugby jersey. It's still an All Blacks jersey that you're proud to hold up and proud to run out and wear,” he added.
The other players involved in the development of the jersey include Dan Carter, Andrew Hore, Brad Thorn, Conrad Smith, Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu.
All Blacks Manager Darren Shand, who was also involved in the development of the jersey, said: “The team are always keen to see new technological advances which help their performance and I think adidas have achieved that, which is great. The players were also mindful that they are the guardians of the jersey while they are wearing it, so took that responsibility very seriously in the new design which we think will add to the legacy.”
“It's an awesome responsibility to be the designers and manufacturers of a jersey that dates back to 1884 and has become nothing less than a symbol of New Zealand,” says adidas Country Manager David Huggett.
“We are mindful that the people of New Zealand own the All Blacks jersey. Although there will be a visible difference in the All Blacks jersey this year, the change will be respectful to its 127-year legacy.
“The 2011 jersey will again raise the bar for both technology and design,” says David Huggett. “This year New Zealand rugby takes a big step into the international limelight, so it is fitting that the jersey should take a leap forward in its long evolution.”
20240830145952.gif)
.jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "UBM China (Shanghai)")
-Ltd..jpg?tr=w-120,h-60,c-at_max,cm-pad_resize,bg-ffffff "Thermore (Far East) Ltd.")
