Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Nike unveil England's new home and and away kits for 2011/2012

Monday, August 01, 2011

Nike unveil England's new home and and away kits for 2011/2012

Earlier today was the launch of Nike's new England home and away playing kits, including the controversial black jersey that has caused such a stir. Here's a quick video and more information about both jerseys.

When it was announced a few weeks back that England were close to unveiling a new away strip that was to be all black, for the World Cup in New Zealand, there were mixed reactions, with much negativity coming from certain parts of the world.

New Zealand's Prime Minister even commented on the concept, famously saying they're a bunch of 'Wannabes', and that 'There's only one team that wears black with pride, and that's the All Blacks.'

The new away jersey is pitch black, with the only colour being that of the red rose, and the white of the sponsors' logos. The home kit on the other hand is more traditional, but for the first time, is 100% white, offering an amazing contrast between the two.

Featuring all sorts of new technology, from the jerseys to the socks, these kits are aimed to help improve England's performance, as well as give them a bold new look that will resonate well with their fans and players.

The alternate kit will be worn for the first time when England play Wales this coming weekend (August 6) at Twickenham, with the white kit worn the following week against Wales again, that time in Cardiff.

The black strip will be worn again for their World Cup game against Argentina on September 10, because of a clash of colours with the light blue and white of the South Americans. Below is a short launch video, and you can view high quality images of the jerseys up close here.

What are your thoughts on the way they look and the controversy surrounding the away kit?

Haha, is Ashton still sporting that shiner from Tuilagi?

By red, at August 01, 2011 9:18 pm
Is he sporting the black eye from the punch? The black def looks good and wouldn't be confused for an AB jersey

By Shujaa, at August 01, 2011 9:19 pm
(before any incensed fans get their Irish up about it, that was just a joke)

By red, at August 01, 2011 9:20 pm
"get their Irish up"?...is that a saying? What exactly does it mean, pardon my ignorance

By I hate ppl who write "First!", at August 01, 2011 9:24 pm
All that aside, the All-Black Jerseys are a first of their kind made from the worlds first anatomically shaped tubular unit. It's the only one of it's kind in the world and Adidas have the exclusive. The effect is not only that it's seamless but that it tightens at different levels at different parts of the torso and weighs that of a standard jersey while maintaining the same strength as the old one.
It's more of a mental thing in any case. Before England won the RWC in 2003 they were the first team to come out with a skin tight jersey, now this. So Adidas went one better!

All that said...it's hardly the jerseys that make the difference!

By I hate ppl who write "First!", at August 01, 2011 9:29 pm
*weighs half of a standard jersey

By I hate ppl who write "First!", at August 01, 2011 9:30 pm
It's an idiom:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/irish

By red, at August 01, 2011 9:35 pm
why "All-Black" will their football team wear all black for their away kit? New zealand will always wear it better... it is kind of like the black spiderman outfit- should have stuck to white and red.. no black anywhere?

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 9:37 pm
If all the other teams didn't have enough motivation to beat the English, putting the Webb Ellis trophy on your sleeve with the year you won it should provide the added motivation needed to be the pompous poms.

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 9:38 pm
i like it - looks very flattering and at the end of the day its an away kit....

By mariayd, at August 01, 2011 9:40 pm
"If all the other teams didn't have enough motivation to beat the English, putting the Webb Ellis trophy on your sleeve with the year you won it should provide the added motivation needed to be the pompous poms."

uhh...New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa all have the same patch on their jerseys, so what's your point? o.O

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 9:41 pm
It's a rugby shirt...

By jackohos, at August 01, 2011 9:51 pm
Both look slick. Wish the Irish had gone with something like that.

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 9:56 pm
Why don't they use the purple jersey anymore? The one which they wore against Pumas in Twickenham (can't remember if it was last year or before). It was beatiful

By José GD, at August 01, 2011 10:01 pm
its better looking then the allblacks shirt this week end

By nicolas, at August 01, 2011 10:09 pm
Lickky lickky bum bum yum yum!!

By Eh Seth Efriken., at August 01, 2011 10:26 pm
Don't you guys think that it is a pitty that England give up its famous black socks fot the home kit ? I think this was part of their identity, like the red socks of the Fre,ch team which they have also given up. Nike is just killing traditions

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 10:27 pm
'All sorts of new technology to help improve englands performance'?
Christ, its that part that makes me embarrassed to be english, the kit doesn't do anything dammit!!!

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 10:30 pm
I don't like jerseys without a collar.

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 10:42 pm
what has happened to this world when rugby folk are so concerned with fashion? go to your local sunday league rugby club and ask the 45 year old prop at the bar what his views are on 'the exciting new jersey technology and worrying colour clashes between countries at this years world cup' are, i dare ya! i mean come on, we go out on the feild to get muddy, bloody, beaten and bashed! and the pros go out to make their country proud. who gives a flying fuck what our clothes look like!

By will, at August 01, 2011 10:49 pm
This article is quite good, if only for stirring up my comments:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blog/oval-talk/article/1243/

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 11:00 pm
"Nike is just killing traditions"
Hmm, not sure but the French Federation decided to end the partnership with Nike and will replace it by Adidas as of the 1st July 2012.

Personally i don't really like the new NZ jersey, looks cheap.

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 11:15 pm
@ Will:

mate, ask any player to put one of this heavy 100% cotton jersey from the 80's, good luck... Adi, Nike, Canterbury, etc... are not fashion brands, they don't care about fashion . All is in the technology & history, a jersey must be strong, light, comfortable, breathable and say something: the white collar on the NZ jersey (1987 WC), the blue fading into black on the French jersey to remind the victories over NZ...

To be honest i don't know why the away kit for ENG is all black, surely there's a reason. No?

By Anonymous, at August 01, 2011 11:25 pm
New Zealand need to get over it... it's a colour jersey, it makes no difference to the All Blacks what colour englands away strip is

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 12:00 am
We can do what we want, we invented New Zealand, Australia and South Africa anyway. All three would be sporting grass skirts and hats made of plants if we left them to it.

By Captain James Cook, at August 02, 2011 12:48 am
Well....I actually think it looks pretty awesome....despite the fact I'm sure it is 'disrespectful' to think that way....

By Alexander, at August 02, 2011 1:35 am
I live in England, play English rugby, and support the England rugby. BUT, I have no idea what they were thinking. A more obvious choice in kit would be a red kit, such as the away kit for the England football team. Or even blue at the very least. But black? What significance does that have with England?

By James, at August 02, 2011 1:49 am
I really have no issue with the black kit, I mean, seeing as England will be lucky to make it out of the Pool stages I honestly don't think we will see much of it....

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 1:52 am
To be honest, I think this idea of having a black jersey is quite disrespectful. I mean the All Blacks are the face of the sport, and the black jersey that they wear is synonymous with the sport. So to go to the world cup in New Zealand with a black jersey, considering that there's absolutely no reason for a black jersey is just quite disrespectful really. I mean if they wore a red jersey, fine. But why black? It's obviously just to copy and annoy the All Blacks. I mean if the WC was in Ireland and England suddenly started wearing a green jersey it's be ridiculous, and that's essentially what has happened. The only explanation for a black one is to annoy New Zealanders, and it really just reinforces the view that English people are arrogant and rude.

By Reality, at August 02, 2011 2:23 am
I must admit, the only england kit i have liked was there centenary kit:

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=england+rugby+centenary+shirt&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&tbm=isch&tbnid=EoR0iHfhRIlUZM:&imgrefurl=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-1249492/As-Englands-centenary-kit-proves-huge-success-Sportsmail-looks-changing-shape-shirt.html&docid=nY_xt7SC10sO8M&w=634&h=697&ei=akI3Ts7QBtOx8QOLt7TyAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=641&vpy=100&dur=415&hovh=234&hovw=213&tx=94&ty=141&page=1&tbnh=177&tbnw=158&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0&biw=1366&bih=667

The one borthwick is wearing in the bottom right.... or right of the page as he seems to take up most of it...

I just think it looks great, none of these massive crazy sponsors all over it (although i think the O2 was in white) and it just looked the least tacky out of all of them....

All these new shirts just look a bit....gimicky i guess.. every sponsor is dying to get their mark on it, and i can imagine in the future it getting to the point where players will start to look like a walking fucking nascar or something!

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:23 am
Oh thanks for that reality, I guess we must all be very rude, i mean i suppose when that big ballot came out with "should england kit be black" i should have ticked no then should i?

you do realise Nike makes the kit, and that NZ apparently couldnt give a hoot.... and the final fact that non of us english fans were asked what colour it should be.,...

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:30 am
What's the matter? Aren't the poms proud of their own jumper - they had to go and dress up as someone else?

I hope Argentina smashes them off the park.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:45 am
Typical poms! Wannabes.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:48 am
Was waiting for this to com on RD..

I am English so, part of me thinks the shirt looks awesome, but then why not red, as our flag is white and red so makes sense. Guess some bright spark at Nike decided the black and white theme. Anyway England rfu asked NZ and they didnt have a problem with it.

On a side note the Welsh away shirt is black but with a little red, clearly that little red is the difference.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 3:32 am
I dont know why NZ are getting upset over it, their away kit is all white, we're not complaining?!?! and this kit probably will never be used apart from these 2 games, the wales game it will be worn to advertise and get sales, and against the pumas because they wear light blue and white which clashes with the english white and they dont have an alternative kit so we have to wear ours, NZ are just busy looking at presentation, like they were critizized after some of their players havnt been wearing their traditional black boots to go with their kit, its all just a bit pathetic really, and NZ are all ways going to be known as the All Blacks no matter how popular the kit gets as the English will always be known for wearing white, end off.

By Benna, at August 02, 2011 3:39 am
It's just an interesting thing to do.
They've never worn an all balck jersey before, no one but NZ has.
There's a world cup in NZ this year, so now England think it's a good time to wear an all black jersey? When they are playing in NZ at a world cup?
Timing is pretty ridiculous. It may well have never been intended as an insult (it's probly ultimatly just a tactic to sell more jerseys), but it will almost certainly be construed as one by many NZ fans.

England, if they weren't already going to be disliked in NZ, are definatly going to cop shit now.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 3:41 am
I'm an NZ fan and as for the controversy... meh. As long as there's no debacle where both sides end up wearing their away jersey, it's fine. The All Blacks are more than a colour, and it's not like we have a copyright on black! I think the only people who really have a right to be pissed off about this are the England fans.

By Anarchangel, at August 02, 2011 3:42 am
Benna, the All blacks away kit is not white, it's grey.
And the thing is that England have NEVER had a black jersey.
They always were either red or white. Then lately they strated screwing around with purples and stuff.
Now black. It's just a stupid time to do it if they didn't want to offend the NZ fans. Right before the WC in NZ? It seems like a deliberate middle finger to the All Blacks.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 3:49 am
@anonymous(the one that replied to me)

the 80's players managed fine with the cotton jerseys? back then it was, heres a tougher than normal tshirt in our team colours lets go play.
i see where people are coming from with all the helping player preformance stuff, but to me it seems like the kindof talk im likely to hear on a home design show or britains next top model if you get what a mean? as for the people on here saying its an insult to new zealand etc. it may well be a tactic to rile them up before the world cup but its only gunna be effective if they are childish enough to care. agreed red is on the english flag but i seriously doubt a red away kit would deeply offend the rich welsh rugby heritage? new zealanders need to realise that sometimes people do or say stuff in rugby that they disagree with but its okay because it everyones sport, not theirs. and the world cup is not their world cup, even though its in their country its EVERYONES. on a side note, personally a black and white final would be a dream end to the tournament for me

By will, at August 02, 2011 5:04 am
Anonymous above, the NZ away jersey used to be white. It is only relatively recently that it has been grey!

Im with the guy that like the centenary jersey, it was my favourite too, for exactly the same reasons, i too am not a fan of the large sponsor logos splashed all over the tops.

As for this jersey, either some twit at nike got his knickers in a twist and ran out of colouring crayons, or this could be a direct psychological attack against the AB's. This could be a tactic to throw them off their game.

However, aren't rugby jerseys and teams slightly different to football... we dont have a "home" and "away" strip do we? we normally have a "primary kit" and a "secondary kit" or something like that.... for instance, AB's wear black all the time, but they have their grey kit, however they do not wear their grey kit when they play AWAY from home, they normally wear it when they play AT home... its normally the home team that changes their kit isnt it?

Im wondering if the black kit will be brought out if England have to play NZ? This to me does seem like something Martin Johnson could have been in on, much like the England Ireland game with Mary Macaleese, (or whatever her name is) where england lined up on the wrong side and refused to move...

It is rude and offensive, however its smart. Look at it objectively rather than being a dick about it, its a way to get a team like the AB's riled up and frustrated/annoyed, without actually doing anything.... that way their head will be in the "outrage that they're wearing black" frame of mind, rather than the game frame of mind...

idk, i can imagine this being a sort of England vs AB's scenario where England turn up having conveniently picked up the wrong kit bag..... or something stupid...

As I said, I don't like it, I much prefer the plain white centenary kit, and if they could wear that all the time I'd love it, but I can let my mind wondering into the realms of "perhaps this is a ploy to get under the AB's skin" (judging by their PM, it appears to have worked...)

By Samsonite, Hah, I was way off!, at August 02, 2011 5:25 am
Rugby is not really a sport any more....

It is and it isn't. (I'm only 24 you'll get my gist!)

It used to be a game where they'd all meet up after work, have a training session, then they'd get picked for international matches and knock each other out.

Then it became a thing where teams HAD to beat other teams, so training became more intense, and time for work was running out, so it became professional, and really, as much as I love the game, the fact its a professional sport has somewhat killed it. Just like everything there are snivelling little shits that are looking for loopholes in the laws, and now refs are having to interpret the laws, and we see a hard dump tackle that we'd all clap about after the match, (even the guy on the receiving end would say "nice tackle mate") being penalised and red cards handed out because "by the letter of the law... blah.. blah ...blah"

Back in the day (or at least local club rugby displays this!) there is a sense of "peoples justice," you do something wrong and expect someone to clock you for it, AND most likely you'll deserve it... but now its all a big hoorah and cry and look he "assaulted him" etc...

AND then we move onto the kits, right, I do totally get the new sort of kits, material wise, I mean, running through a gap home clear, only to have a prop that weighs the same as a small car grab hold of your trailing jersey is a little bit morale crushing, so the tight fit stops that. Now ofcourse tight fit means it doesnt breathe, so ofcourse breathable material solves that. etc. etc. etc. but this gimmicky shit that is being sold, and all the crap that goes with it?!?!?! Geez, are you NZ lot really that bothered by a shirt colour? I mean, really is it THAT big a deal? Im not saying England are within their rights to do what they want, but honestly, I think England are the team that is in trouble now, not NZ, how hilariously pathetic would it be to have England vs New Zealand, and have New Zealand in grey, and England in black, only to see England get their arses handed to them by a grey NZ team?!?!?

I mean really, its borderline South African macho bullshit. I.e. how saffa fans boast about how the boks are apparently going to wipe the floor with anyone in their path, only to be beaten by scotland and then have to dig yourself out of the monumental shit pile you've ended up in.

I must admit all you NZ bunch take things far to seriously sometimes. I mean the Haka, I love it, but Nonu whining like a fucking pre-pubescent girl about how Wales "disrespected the haka" and all that shit, when we had fucking campese tarting around in the background not giving a shit... I mean honestly the uproar that came from the welsh staring you out was pathetic. WTF do you expect? if you want to do your dance then expect other teams who DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN DANCE to respond how they feel appropriate, if you dont like it then dont fucking do the haka!

By Fucking tools!, at August 02, 2011 5:41 am
@ Anarchangel

Finally someone who shows some brains and common sense.

Really the people most pissed of should be the England fans. This is a money making scheme and one that has caused friction between two rugby nations that usually show a lot of respect for each other. England should take the same route as France and ditch nike.

The centenary was easily the best, only wonder why they didn't sell that shirt, or if they did please let me know where I can get it. Hate the 02 or any sponsorship on shirt, the world cup shirts always look better for it. If only nike bother to put a little red on both shirts then we wouldn't have this.

Also these ideas that England and the All blacks might clash and England would wear the black over them.... well I hope england would have the respect to decline, yet refuse to do that.. if they did i think i would change my passport

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 5:44 am
It's just a stupid time to do it if they didn't want to offend the NZ fans. Right before the WC in NZ? It seems like a deliberate middle finger to the All Blacks.

Oh, boo hoo!

Why the shit would anyone give more than a half a minute's thought to this?

The colors of the kit that a team wears is most likely very low on their list of priorities. If they don't care, why should so many of you (though it's the internet, and more than likely a number of the posts are just from the same whiny person)?

They could come out wearing a kit that says "Suck our balls, kiwis!" sprawled across the jersey, and the ABs would just take that much more gratification out of beating them.

What a weird life some of you must be living if this is the kind of stuff that catches your attention and ruffles your feathers. Some priorities you've got...

(On a side note, someone had mentioned the throw-back jersey the English wore at some point this year - that was actually a classy looking kit. But again...who cares? They could come out wearing more pink than a Stade Francais stadium and, while at first it might draw some inquisitive looks and mocking remarks, hopefully the rugby would pretty quickly become the center focus of the match)

By 1st world problems, eh?, at August 02, 2011 5:44 am
Wouldn't it be funny if we all just shut up and enjoyed rugby?

You know, as an Aussie I'm feeling fairly confident about the World Cup, NZ will be our biggest threat I think. England the old rivals might be difficult, but they are a team we CAN beat, it just depends on the day I suppose, but NZ will be a real challenge. But anyway, as an Aussie fan, I'd gladly throw in the towel right now and pray that Australia doesn't make it out of the pools if it means some time like Argentina just comes in right under the radar and wins the World Cup. I honestly would, ofcourse I'd be gutted if we don't do well, but quite frankly all of this trash talk and blabber about who's wearing what coloured jersey is pathetic, I'd actually love it if Argentina won, I think it would be great, it would teach all the uptight "high ranking" teams a lesson, teach their bitchy little school girl fans a lesson, and no one would go hungry because there would be mountains and mountains of humble pie to eat!

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 5:48 am
when we had fucking campese tarting around in the background not giving a shit

I've heard about this several times, but never seen a video of it. If anyone knows where - or which match it was - that'd be great.

By 1st world problems, eh?, at August 02, 2011 5:50 am
Black is a tone not a colour LOL

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 5:51 am
PS - I'm so fucking pumped about this world cup!

That is all.

By 1st world problems, eh?, at August 02, 2011 5:51 am
Lickky lickky bum bum yum yum!!!!

By Eh Seth Efriken., at August 02, 2011 5:54 am
"I've heard about this several times, but never seen a video of it. If anyone knows where - or which match it was - that'd be great."

Yeh, It was a match between NZ and Australia. Hope that helps....

seriously though 1991 I think..

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 5:55 am
Ads a side not, how many times has the All Black gone into the world cup being the team to beat and not even made it to the final. Really haven't learnt your lesson about shooting off your mouth before the World CUp have you.

Plus its a shirt, this isn't football. I couldn't car less. Would rather judge a team by the way they play not by there shirts....

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 5:56 am
"Black is a tone not a colour LOL"

Black is a life choice, not a skin colour..

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 5:56 am
Yeh to be totally honest I don't think either team should give a damn. England suck so bad they'll probably get knocked out in the Quarters...

And NZ are so damn amazing at the moment they'll probably choke at the quarters.... so in reality, it doesn't make a difference, both teams shirts will go down in history as a blank page in their books of success!

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 5:58 am
RD can we get an official post with this Haka, I honestly cannot wait for the RWC and if NZ perform the Haka with this intensity they'll be so pumped up they'll be unbeatable:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBCpPGNDr1U

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 6:04 am
Centenary Kit was easily the best.

Personally I think England's alternate kit shouldn't EVER again copy the football team's kit with all red, just makes me think 'oh that's the shirt that we wont he football world cup in 45 years ago', when what should happen when you look at an England shirt is think about the more recent victory at the World Cup in the same sport.

Can anyone verify if/why don't Argentina have an alternate kit? Doesn't seem fair? Surely if both teams have two kits, they should just do a coin toss on the day to decide

If the only game that we actually need to use an alternate kit then why not use thick red and thin white hoops if we are playing against a team with white and blue hoops? Hoops are rugby history setting the shirts apart from the vertical striped football shirts.

It just sounds like Nike want to make more money from designing a kit to get everyone talking about it and more than likely parting with a small fortune and going out to buy it.

Englishman In HK

By Englishman in HK, at August 02, 2011 6:04 am
jeez, some people are getting real worked up.

I was the one who said it might seem like a deliberate middle finger to NZ.

But here's the thing, Im ot a kiwi, and I dont really care. I just think it's a little stupid and a bit disrespectful to the hosts of the World Cup.

I also never said it would bother the NZRU or the All Blacks themselves (they won't give two shits), but rather that it might offend quite few NZ FANS.

You know, the people in the stadiums watching the rugby.

What I was saying is that the English team, which to be fair was never going to particularly popular with the Nz public, will definatly be copping soem shit from th natives now.

For that reason I think its a very stupid time to suddenly start wearing black.

It's not a big deal but it's just crass and can be perceived as arrogent. That's a stereotype England already ahs, you'd think they wouldn't want to reinforce it.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 6:06 am
"I also never said it would bother the NZRU or the All Blacks themselves (they won't give two shits), but rather that it might offend quite few NZ FANS.

You know, the people in the stadiums watching the rugby."

Nah, I have seen all the super rugby matches and internationals down there, the only people in the stadiums are the opposition supporters....

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 6:09 am
To Anonymous who posted the Haka video.

That's our top secret shock and awe haka, mate. Any team we perform that for will be so confused we'll have scored a handful of tries before they even realise they're playing the ABs. We're saving it for the Aussies, so don't tell them. Fortunately that cat's not out of the bag yet 'cos Aussies can't read. ;)

By Anarchangel, at August 02, 2011 6:10 am
haha, what?
Can't read!? It's a video stupid!

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 6:15 am
Hahaha, it's cute that you think an Aussie would recognise a URL. :)

Shine on you crazy diamond!

By Anarchangel, at August 02, 2011 6:21 am
haha, nice save!
We don't need to read URL's we just steal laptops then kidnap someone and make them show us how to use it!

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 7:13 am
Dammit! I should have accounted for your natural criminal genius!

Oh well, there's always 2015, eh?

By Anarchangel, at August 02, 2011 7:38 am
I hope anyone wins the world cup apart from south africa or england.. Most arrogant two teams in world rugby.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 8:39 am
England to win WRC in all black against a Grey and Dishevelled NZ - Priceless.

By RI20, at August 02, 2011 9:40 am
I personally don't have a problem with us wearing black (although it doesn't seem appropriate) but as an Englishman, when this was announced this was a bit of a facepalm moment.

Everybody hates us already, why give them any more ammunition?!

By Coops, at August 02, 2011 10:07 am
http://richie-mccaw.blogspot.com/2009/11/all-blacks-force-to-go-white.html

No one even blinked when this happened? Why is everyone suddenly so menstrual now?

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 10:53 am
isnt all blacks away kit white ? i think they played in it agaisnt scotland in the rwc2007?

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 11:01 am
England must have figured the black strip would provoke a reaction, job well done by the Poms. Those NZers who took the bait, seriously, you guys got played.

All England need now is their own haka, that will drive some of the more thin-skinned AB fans right over the edge.

By edbok, at August 02, 2011 11:13 am
As an AB fan, I couldn't give a hoot that the England away jersey is Black, no other AB fans I know seem to care either. I don't support them just because they wear a black jersey. I do wonder though if the England Black Jersey will be a very poor seller, I cannot imagine all the English fans running out to buy a black jersey - Just my thoughts.

By JG, at August 02, 2011 11:46 am
Surely this is just a cynical attempt on the part of Nike (and presumably the RFU, given they will take their own cut from shirt sales) to generate a bit of extra publicity by way of some manufactured controversy?

I just don't believe that Nike would not forsee controversy from choosing an all-black jersey for a WC in NZ. Therefore, deliberate attempt by them to stir things up for their own benefit.

Personally, I feel sorry for the England fans who will - through no fault of their own - have all this "controversy" imposed on them, just because Nike/the RFU saw an opportunity to improve shirt sales. As someone pointed out already, it's nothing to do with England as a country, and certainly nothing to do with the fans - they didn't have some sort of survey on whether to have an all-black kit!

I'm sure that all this will be a storm in a teacup when the actual tournament starts - everyone will get down to enjoying the rugby and the post-match beers, and the Kiwis will be far too generous as hosts to let something as trivial as this to get in the way.

By Matt, at August 02, 2011 11:50 am
Why would you change your away strip to a colour that means nothing to ur country? There is no black on the Union Jack or the St George Cross. Why not have a red away strip? sounds like the poms trying to ruffle some kiwi feathers!! Prob not the best idea. England will struggle to make the quarter finals. Northern hemisphere rugby will never be as good or entertaining as southern hemisphere

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 12:05 pm
Argentina wear "celestial blue" ;)

By Gustavo Prado, at August 02, 2011 12:13 pm
England ! wake the fuck up! There is no purple in your national colours! or black! Idiots. If i was english i would be ashamed. Your kit should reflect your countries colours.If you must be so stupid as to choose random colours so be it, but where i get pissed off is when i think that it is possible we could end up watching a world cup final where Newzealand are in white and England are in black!!!! How historicaly wrong would that be! Choose whatever colours you want in an away strip but when colours clash you should be forced to revert to your traditional first choice home colour.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 12:51 pm
"Why would you change your away strip to a colour that means nothing to ur country? There is no black on the Union Jack or the St George Cross. Why not have a red away strip? sounds like the poms trying to ruffle some kiwi feathers!! Prob not the best idea. England will struggle to make the quarter finals. Northern hemisphere rugby will never be as good or entertaining as southern hemisphere"

Spoken like someone who has no idea of rugby. Even AS a SH supporter I'm still not blind to the fact England will make it to the quarters with very little problems... their only real threat is probably going to be Argentina!

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 12:55 pm
Do some of the NZ not know that the union jack is the British flag not the English one... if that is the level of the argument that I am out of here to watch paint dry. Plus there is no Black on your flag.

Don't get all this, spoke to a few NZ guys in the gym about this today and they couldn't cares less.

So this is how i think it works, if you are a rugby fan who never has played the sport (being made to play in games at school doesn't count) then this is a big deal, something to talk about and make yourself feel important and knowledgeable about the sport. Whereas if you have played or still do you don't care and probably never will about the colour of the shirt. Really you will just be looking forward to the world cup not the colour of the shirts.... mmm said like that it makes it sound rather girlie to care about the colour of the shirt

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 1:23 pm
^^^ I somewhat agree, however I'm sure we all have favourite rugby jerseys....

Im with all the others as far as the England kit goes, their centenary kit was by far the best!

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 1:43 pm
it's funny how this has worked already on the kiwi subconscious! Raging!

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:23 pm
Ah ha they gonna look like retards at Wc. And Nz are going to support whoever theyre against

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:30 pm
lol, it's a colour of shirt... Is it really that important!!!

If it was designed to provoke the kiwi's it's certainly worked!

By Nathan, at August 02, 2011 2:33 pm
Wearing black to a RWC in NZ. Poor form indeed, talk about an unwelcome guest.

Sure we maybe get a little precious about boys in black......but we're only 4 million strong and punching well above our weight on the world stage, so why not!

I also find it ironic an Englishman can say we take our sport to seriously. 'you avin a bubble mate' the home of hooligans with 'firms; nation wide - and all we're doing is saying we don't agree with the colour choice. I'd hardly say we're 'kickin off'?

Doubt the All Blacks will care (oh I'm meaning NZ by the way) but I just think pretty naff!

By PB, at August 02, 2011 2:41 pm
Thing is it will have no effect on the All Blacks. They dont give a shit.

It's just gonna make people think England are a bag full of aresholes with no respect.

So nothing changes really.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:41 pm
It's the kind of thing teams with respect for each other wouldn't do.
For example Australia or South Africa wouldnt pull out a black away jersey and just be like "fuck the kiwis", because we respect them.
We wouldn't pull out a green jersey and say fuck the Irish, again cuz it's disrespectful.

We might pull out a white jersey one day, cuz clearly the English are a bunch of aresholes anyway, so fuck them.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:44 pm
Be careful England, once you go black you never go back.............

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 2:50 pm
Why do they feel the need to change the kit soo often. It wasn't long ago that they released the thorn design with the charcoal shirt. But where does black, or charcoal originate in English Rugby's tradition. Or purple?!?! Surely RED would be the colour of choice for the away strip?

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 3:36 pm
Whats all the fuss, I am sure NZ have had white as an alternative strip at sometime in the past but may be wrong.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 3:46 pm
Martin Johnson has always liked to stir things up and get under the oppositions skin..I'm sure he had more than a say in this decision and the fact that everyone's making such a big fuss about it will only make him happier

By themull, at August 02, 2011 3:48 pm
Rugby fans, now as stupid as their football counterparts.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 3:56 pm
i have been to every world cup - been to most countries and this year we have decide to give NZ a miss. Simply because the fans are just not fans they remind me of Holigans - they are so one eye and arrogant it is unbelievable. Shame I had to write this but New Zealanders should know that their rugby supports are embarassing - i don't want bottles thrown at my daughter or hear that language. You should really ask yourself why you haven't sold as many tickets as you should have.

We will instead head over to Aus for the Lions tour -

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 4:13 pm
their prime minister has clearly forgotten about the cornish all blacks and from what i'm aware they wear it with pride

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 5:41 pm
can't believe new zealand have decided to wear black as well, it's an insult to our english heritage...

By Jonno, at August 02, 2011 7:57 pm
1. Kit changes are all about MONEY. If you have the technology to make kits super-light etc. then you have the technology to colour them in properly.

2. It's a part of the professional game that teams must promote a change kit. I don't like it but we must accept it. What should not be allowed is things like England not having blue home socks; France not wearing royal blue shirts and red socks, etc.

3. Are New Zealand being disrespectful to Fiji with their away kit?

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 8:09 pm
I hope the All Blacks meet England somewhere along the line. They will murder them.

By Anonymous, at August 02, 2011 9:59 pm
"i have been to every world cup - been to most countries and this year we have decide to give NZ a miss."

You are clearly lying, so don't try and fool people that you have been to every world cup. If it were true, you would have been to NZ for the first world cup, and would have found that like most other countries around the world, they are a friendly and welcoming people.

By JG, at August 02, 2011 10:36 pm
get their irish up is a 100% unacceptable comment btw

By terry o stypical, at August 03, 2011 1:01 am
Yeah, with an attitude like that, do Aus a favour and don't come over here.
We love the kiwis, they are just like us, and no more or less likely to give you a good welcome, than Australians.

What an areshole to disparage an entire people like that. Kiwis are good people, friendly and welcoming and love to have a good time. They aren't that different from Aussies at all. In fact, if anything, they are a bit more quiet and less boisterous at sporting events.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 1:02 am
Well NZ's away kit id grey, so I don't see why that would offend the Fijians, who wear white.

The point is England has NEVER worn black. The only team in rugby who has EVER worn black is NZ. Now, all of a sudden when England come to NZ for the World Cup they wear black?
What a pack of arrogant pricks.
Typical English bullshit. No other country would pull this shit.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 1:04 am
This thread....is at times pathetic!!

By Alexander, at August 03, 2011 1:24 am
Love how the NZ guys are just choosing to ignore some comments.

1. Your away kit for the world cup is WHITE, wow you have a black collar, but its white, so by this what you are saying is if we put a different colour collar on our shirt it is fine. Very similar to the Fiji's but then you steal their players so why not their shirt.

2. The Welsh away shirt is black with a bit of red yet no comments so guessing this proves my point above.

3. Your shirts has nothing to do with your nations colour, please google your flag.

4. On what planet do you think the English fans had any part in making the decision for the colour of our change shirt? so why on earth are you insisting on making out that we chose to disrespect the heritage of the all blacks

Its a shirt who cares... thought this was rugby not football..

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 1:28 am
actually anonymous above the all blacks away shirt is white so get your facts right dumb arse. so its a little hypocritical coz your away kit is the same colour as england home kit as well as fijis.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 1:31 am
Love the double standards of people sometimes, guessing the troys as they are called of this site. Not really interested in rugby just a non educated argument. Examples

NZ away shirt is the same as fiji and a collar way from the england white shirt.

Ashton gets criticised for swan diving as it is disrespectful, yet there is show boating in the super rugby and SH all the time, even dancing like footballers in this year super season, yet thats fine.

England won the world cup only by kicking. Yet the world cup before thats all Australia and S.A. did against each other as well as when S.A. played us in that world cup but thats fine because you guys won.

we then start playing more open rugby and get some good win and its luck because we lose a couple too

so really do I care that the NZ are crying of a shirt like a load of little girls... nope. You don't show us any respect so why the hell should we show you any, most english fans will be respectful of NZ teams, and most other teams. But it seems, judging from this website england is fair game to trash talk just for the fun of it so what do you expect we are going to coward down and take it? Or piss people of just for the sake of it

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 2:06 am
Ashton was critisised by the English media, no one else.
SH players celebrate all the time and everyone in the SH is fine with it.

Thing is, England is perceived as disrespectful and arrogent by everyone. Not just kiwis.

And this just reinforces that. Again, the All Blacks won't care but the English team will be even less popular now than they would have been already when they come to NZ.

NO ONE has EVER worn black in rugby except NZ.

So England decides on the eve of a WC that NZ is hosting that it's a good time to wear black? It's typical English crap. It'd be like pulling out a green jersey from nowhere right before a World Cup in Ireland.

No other team in the world would do this.

And I'm not a kiwi.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 4:59 am
I think the English fans actually REALLY like the black jerseys. It makes them feel like their team is the ABs. Pathetic Wannabees!

How would England like it if a really shitty team copied their colors just before a WC in England?

By Jakey, at August 03, 2011 5:28 am
if you can't beat the team wearing black and wear it too.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 5:50 am
"NO ONE has EVER worn black in rugby except NZ."

Well, then, those fuckers should've patented it.

By trolly troll troll. aren't we all?, at August 03, 2011 5:51 am
@trolls saying NZ are copying England with their white away shirts.

The difference is NZ are called the 'All Blacks', rugby kit is all black, & England are wearing an all black rugby kit.

However, England are not the 'All Whites', meaning other countries are able to wear an all white rugby kit.

Get it? Now fuck up!

By AnthonyP, at August 03, 2011 5:55 am
The point is also that many teams wear white, many teams use white as their away jersey.
No teams have ever worn an all black jersey except the All Blacks.

If England had been doing this for some time it wouldn't be so bad, but to do it specifically for a world cup held in the country their stealing the idea from?

Arrogant English crap.

By Tom, at August 03, 2011 5:57 am
Response to the above:

1. Your away kit for the world cup is WHITE - Yes and that has almost always been the case. If England had ALWAYS wore a black away strip, we wouldn't be talking right now. We're just a little miffed by your timing?

2. The Welsh away shirt is black - From memory this article was about ENGLANDS KIT, we're just staying on point!

3. Flag colours, please google your flag - Well actually we have a secondary flag which is black with a silver fern on it. many want this as our our national flag

4. On what planet do you think the English fans had any part in making the decision - So are trying to say Nike just sprung this on the England managment/team without any consiltation what so ever? Please! The public may not have known but this would have been discussed at great length prior to release.

I get what many in the NH are saying, it's just a top - sure. But we're called THE ALL BLACKS and you've chosen to wear this now, of all times as you come to our country fro RWC? if you don't see that as just little cheeky, then I'd take the eye patch off so you can see with both eyes.

By PB, at August 03, 2011 6:07 am
Fuck me this is hilarious...

On one hand we have a bunch of totally innocent England supporters really left wondering what the fuck is going on... "how did we end up with a black jersey again? I didnt vote for it"

and on the other hand we have some jumped up little pre pubescent NZ fans that think the England fans picked that colour, and are effectively falling right into the giant cesspit that Martin Johnson dug with the black shirt trick....

Really, yes you guys are the "All Blacks" but that is more of a friendly loving nickname. Just like South Africa are the Spring Boks, and Aus are the Wallabies... the fact you're called the All Blacks does not mean that the colour (or tone or shade) black belongs to you. As someone mentioned the Cornish Pirates wear "all black".... so lay claim to that shit!

Now your national flag of "black with a silver fern".... right so you guys made a flag up and now you think you can justify your team colours and how you can monopolise those colours just because you made a flag up that had those colours? Right, so why don't the England fans make a black flag with the queens arse on it, and there we go, they can wear all black now.

AND when did you guys FIRST decide to wear a white alternative kit? Did the rest of the world have a brown noise episode and shit themselves?

In reality, why aren't you guys wearing a blue kit? like your national flag... and why isnt australia wearing a blue kit too....

You guys are all so fucking tiresome... Do you really think England fans picked that shirt?

I was also going to add "do you think the NZ team care?" but then after Nonu's little homo session after Wales apparently "stood up" to the Haka, I'm not sure the answer would be what I'm looking for....

Considering you're the "worlds best" and have a team full of fucking mutants who if need be could probably flash back to their ancestral days and kill someone from a mile away with a spear, you are the biggest bunch of fucking whining pussies in the game! Get over yourselves, your attitudes are starting to resemble a team that should be wearing some beige shit colour!

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 6:35 am
Hey Pom, it's not jsut the kiwis who think you English are a pack of arrogant pricks.

Everyone in rugby does.
Eery country likes beating England. Cuz your arrogant and ignorant. You're like the US of rugby.

And way to call people of islander descent mutant spear chuckers you racist sack of shit.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 7:42 am
@PB

1. you away kit before was grey, not white. plus doesnt change the fact that is nnot similar to england and fiji's but not disrespectful mmm

2. The welsh shirt is still black and this is all about how a black shirt is not on because only NZ can have it, so it is very relevant.

3. you dont have a second flag you have one like every country, making one up doesnt count. so live with it even if you guys want to change it

4. Not saying nike sprung it on England, but they also didnt spring it on NZ. They ask and NZ rfu didnt care and said go ahead. so really what else do you want, we did ask and probably wouldnt have if you said no

Its only being worn in one game it really isn't that big a deal. Plus what would the case be if a country that actually has black on their flag did it, then what

and nice to see how people on here can get racist and show enophobism all over the colour of shirt.. seems rugby fans are getting as bad as football fans... the only think really to come from this blg is we should all really be ashamed of ourselves.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 7:55 am
can NZ stop saying they away kit is grey its WHITE!!!

seriously for rugby fans you seem to know very little

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 7:57 am
The truth is that no other country would do this.

Because other rugby nations enjoy showing each other respect. We treat each other as family.

And then you have England.

Way to make yourselves the most hated team in NZ 2011.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 8:02 am
This comment has been removed by the author.

By Anarchangel, at August 03, 2011 8:07 am
Round and round and round we go...

Clearly most of the people posting now aren't reading any of the posts that have gone before. What a clusterfuck.

Catch you guys on another thread, this one's done!

(Can I say how much I'm looking forward to the World Cup? Yay rugby!)

By Anarchangel, at August 03, 2011 8:09 am
Haven't both New Zealand and South Africa had an all white away kit in recent years? Smacks of hypocrisy a little to me.

By Nick, at August 03, 2011 11:05 am
England asked your RFU so stop winging like a load of little girls, sorry clearly we should have held a national vote.

But I think anyone with half a brain would agree if you ask and agree to something then you lose any right to complain afterwards.

Clearly there are strong points of view on here and it is going round in circles. But should judge things on facts and stop ignoring the parts that weaken your view

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 11:32 am
perhaps NZ are worried the team wearing Black and holding the cup won't be them . . .

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 12:12 pm
Lol at the English calling Nz'rs whingers.. You can't call somebody else whingers when your country is world famous for it... Hahaha

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 12:22 pm
England has the pattern on whinging like New Zealand has for black rugby shirts....

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 12:36 pm
^^^patent

Anyway, I haven't seen or heard any complaints from anyone whose opinion actually counts for anything - here's Sean Fitzpatrick giving his endorsement:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/8678845/Rugby-World-Cup-2011-Englands-black-kit-isnt-offensive-to-New-Zealand-says-All-Blacks-legend-Sean-Fitzpatrick.html.
"I can't see any problem at all. The All Blacks have worn white in the past, always when we play Scotland because of the clash of colours. That wasn't being disrespectful to England. In fact the white All Blacks shirts became real collectors items for us players because they didn't come around very often."

And Gatland in the same article, (bearing in mind Wales are also taking a black "change" kit - by the way can everyone please stop using the footballism "away-kit", which doesn't apply in rugby):
"I see going to New Zealand with a black kit as a sign of respect to the All Blacks. We all know how important the black kit has been to New Zealand and how significant it has been in rugby and other sports. The black jersey is about respecting New Zealand as a nation and as a rugby country. That is the way we are looking at it".

By Von, at August 03, 2011 1:28 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hats off to you Von

You have restored my faith in rugby fans, first comment I read that actually puts forward a sensible argument and I could be bothered to reply to.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 1:35 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hats off to you Von

You have restored my faith in rugby fans, first comment I read that actually puts forward a sensible argument and I could be bothered to reply to.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 1:39 pm
On a related note, all the training footage I've seen so far has had big Matt Banahan in a 13 shirt/bib. Is Manu Tuilagi able to play inside centre? Because I'd love to see a Tuilagi-Banahan centre partnership. Might not actually be any good in practice but I'd still like to see it. Or play Banahan at 12 and play him in a Sonny-Bill capacity (I'm not trying to compare skill levels but they do have in common size, deceptive speed and offloading ability, the last one in particular currently at a different level I admit). Young Manu would be the Robbie Fruean* to Bananaman's SBW.

*Yeah, I know he's not in the NZ squad, I'm thinking of their very effective Crusaders partnership.

By Von, at August 03, 2011 2:00 pm
@Anonymous - cheers! Hope I haven't undone my hard work with my random musings on England's centre partnership...

By Von, at August 03, 2011 2:04 pm
no not at all I think the england centreship is an area that needs to be addressed and could make all the difference. So many different partnerships have been tried but never the a good balance. Manu Tuilagi looks very impressive and hope he is given a fair chance as he is young and could hold the place for a long time and bring some consistency in the centre.

This is the talk that should be happening before the world cup... there is some great rugby coming up. Proven by the Tri Nations so far and interested to see the outcome of the NZ v Australia this weekend. Plus England v Wales, there has been talk of a more open approach of running rugby by England so time to front up and show it. And the Puma's are now a team to worry about.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 2:29 pm
When he first heard about the kit Lomu was unimpressed. "One thing is for sure, the All Blacks are the original and anybody who is after the original is an imitator," he said.

The giant winger then told the BBC that he felt that seeing England play in black was "disrespecting the legacy of past players".

"The All Blacks are synonymous with being in all black, and England the white shirt they have," he said. "I will find it pretty weird to look across the paddock and see them run out not wearing that famous white uniform."

Read more: http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/82300,people,news,jonah-lomu-slams-disrespectful-england-over-all-black-kit-ahead-of-rugby-world-cup#ixzz1Ty7KllPg

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 2:34 pm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-2015811/Martin-Samuel-Its-black-white--English-rugby-laughing-stock.html

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 2:42 pm
Barry VonRugbyTwat

Good grief what a load of fuss over a simple shirt colour!!!
All the comments about English fans whining etc, what a load of rubbish. The majority of whining comes from NZ fans - as always!

Regarding the Haka, they whined when Ireland faced up to it with Willie Anderson, they whined when Richard Cockerill got right into Norm Hewitt's grill, they whined when a team did nothing but stand there (Wales), they whined when BOD picked up the imaginery feather to accept the challenge (Lions tour - which Clive Woodward researched from a Maori elder to find out what the true etiquette should be - although the All Blacks didn't understand this!) whine, whine, whine.

All this shite about the Haka being disrespected - what a load of bollocks. A few years ago the NZ team could hardly do it at all, they were slapping arms and thighs looking at each other - it was more like the Hokey-Cokey.

And I'm sick of all the commentators like Brian Moore who say it's theatre to be enjoyed. It's not, it's a way of firing up your players just before kick off. All that staring and eyes rolling in the back of your head and gurning. Each country should be able to do what they want when it is being performed. My suggestion would be to follow Campo's lead and just kick a ball about or do some lineout practise.

As an England fan I think we have an outside chance with a good following wind. But I for one will hope that any team and I mean ANY team win this tournament against the one-eyed, arrogant, cheating, whining New Zealanders.

And I for one will be buying this black shirt, not because I like it or anything like that, but I want to walk into a NZ pub wearing it after we have beaten them in the final!!!

Come on England (WC winners 2003)!!!

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 2:55 pm
I really don't care what NZ make of it, I'm just hacked off with the RFU marketing department for making Rugby more like football with endless kit changes. How many kits have england had since rwc 2007? purple one, grey one, black one, that commemorative cream one, three different white ones. This is just ridiculous and an insult to English Rugby fans. Boycott the black!

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 3:00 pm
The last anon is correct. This has nothing to do with Johnson, England fans or winding up the Kiwis

This has to do with making more money from ANOTHER change of kit - it is all about the cash...

PS - Neath rugby have been playing in all black kit for longer than the Kiwis, so if anyone can claim to be the true All Blacks, its them

By Paolo, at August 03, 2011 3:10 pm
Only the bloody English would pull this shit.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 3:49 pm
Bring back the proper cotton shirts. Admittedly everyones had the experience at school of wading through mud with a shirt 6 sizes too big, but i'm sure they could tailor them for each player at that level! Whenever a team wears a 'commemorative' shirt (Englands white one, SA plain green one) I always think it looks better. If anyone needs an example of how sponsorship and adding little trinkets can go too far should look at the old Treviso kits...

By Michael, at August 03, 2011 4:41 pm
You know what... through all this shit, I hope that an outside team wins. I hope neither England, South Africa, New Zealand or Australia wins it.

Personally I'd like some random team to win, or the French.... In reality I just hope some country that doesnt speak english as a first language wins, at least then we won't have to put up with the same old bitching shit that goes on year after year after year... or at least if some gloating twit comes on we won't really understand him!

All the NZ fans kicking up a stink about it just makes me lose respect for them. Back in the day I'd imagine they'd keep hush hush about it and then smash england about the park, now the have to do some 9 act homo play and have a song and a dance about how "disrespectful it is" and blah blah blah...

Considering we are all fans of no doubt one of the toughest sports in the world, I am truly amazed at how we can be more bitchy and whiny that a bunch of teenage girls!

Honestly children just shut it you're turning what was once a tough game into some little fashion contest. Fucking hell the adverts for "Americas top model" seems to have less bitching than this RUGBY SITE!

By Sad idiots!, at August 03, 2011 6:06 pm
People, people...please.

I think this is indicative of a much larger problem in rugby...

Does this mean that fans who aren't players for the team they support really go around buying up jerseys for said team for a ridiculous sum of money?

Well, that's just silly.

By bill, at August 03, 2011 6:55 pm
The decision as to corporate branding and image will have been lead by nike - so most of the discusion here is misguided.

Its only an away shirt. Nike are a poor brand selection. Just before Canterbury UK went into administration 3 years ago, canterbury had been in discusions with the RFU - I would much prefer a canterbury shirt. The centinary shirt has been the best in recent years.

When the players run out they will be about buisness so its irrelivant.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 10:43 pm
@ Paolo,,,

totally agree, bored of how many shirts nike have done for england. we really should look at ditching them and going to adidas. I mean how many different white shirt can they come up with. It really is taking the piss, it is like football a new shirt each season, in the past the only reason to change it was if the sponsor changed.

By Anonymous, at August 03, 2011 11:52 pm
England :

The USA of rugby.
Arrogant. Rude. Introverted.

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 1:06 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

All teams are like that as they have a believe they can win. IF you don't have confidence then you are going to under perform, don't mistake this for confidence and a desire to be the best. Most teams/countries think this about each other. The ENglish think it about the French, but most English fans will admit they have scored some of the best tries ever.

Plus your comment isn't even about rugby, it seems aimed at English people and at a guess you probably have never been. So narrowed minded to have a view that groups people together, historical a mind set like that has caused the darkest moment in world history.

... but from your comment I guess this understanding is way beyond your IQ

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 5:22 am
plus think you need to check your defination of introverted, it is not a negative. You ar either an extrovert or an introvert. Simply etroverts feed of the engery of others, need attention. Introverts find being round other a drain of energy. Simply defintoin but never are negatives... if you are throwing an insult make it a good one.

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 8:05 am
When talking in general terms about a group of people, introverted is not meant in that sense.
It refers to a general tendency to focus only on that groups view, their goals, their needs and their opinions, at the expense of other groups views, goals, needs and opinions.

Just like the RFU and the English rugby establishment, team and fans.

Also disrespectful.

No other team inr ugby in would do this. Not the French, the Australians, the South Africans, the Irish, anyone.

Only the English would have the monumental arrogance to do this and think it wasn't disrespectful.

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 8:22 am
In reply to the above comment, it is just an away shirt, and if it is causing this much distraction to the kiwi's then it is a shrewd tactical decision.

It is not disrespectful at all, some months ago the Kiwi nation suffered a great tragedy, and the English where the first to send aid and start raising money. Lets not forget we are common wealth brothers, and hopefully always will be.

If anything its a complement! Jona was in appropriate to comment it smacks of unsportsman like conduct, those in the public eye need to be more measured.

Just a thought

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 12:54 pm
^^ sorry, but Australia were the 1st to send aid to nz.

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 1:42 pm
It doesn't really matter if they wear black, they're still gonna get hammered anyway!!

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 1:44 pm
The English this & the English that. . . arrogant blah disrespectful blah blah . .

Here's a few links for you

http://www.rugbyworldcupjerseys.co.uk/2011/07/black-wales-away-rugby-world-cup-jersey-rwc-2011-away-shirt/

plus

http://footballfashion.org/wordpress/tag/new-zealand-rugby-union/

typical behaviour. The minute England take a breath (some) people go crazy, usually the ones who like to shout stuff they know little about

I'm utterly gutted that some of you writing on here are rugby fans

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 4:00 pm
LMFAO.

Honestly there is more shit being spread around on here than from a muckspreader!

You guys talk about England being introvert, infact someone defined their take on it here:
"It refers to a general tendency to focus only on that groups view, their goals, their needs and their opinions, at the expense of other groups views, goals, needs and opinions."

Right... so when did NZ focus on Englands run up to the world cup and making sure England achieved all its goals at the expense of NZ achieving ITS goals?!?!?!

I suppose what you're saying is the next rugby match we all play in our own clubs etc we should try not to be mean and nasty to the other team, and maybe let them win, we'll put their goals and views before our own ok???!?

AND, wtf are you guys on about "France would never do it" I want you all to google the french rugby kit back in the day (maybe 1995) and then the french rugby kit within the last 10 years or so... now tell me that their HOME kit did not change colour and turn practically BLACK!

Now how about Ireland.... they took their Emerald green and turned it into a South African Green not that long ago...

Oh but ofcourse lets forget NZ's ALTERNATE WHITE JERSEY!

Geez, you guys never shut the fuck up.... as soon as something that could be perhaps controversial to the precious untouchable blacks there is a shit storm...

Oh and considering we are such a bunch of introvert, arrogant, disrespectful arseholes, perhaps you'd like to kindly give me back that fucking £50 I donated (which is actually a lot of money to me!) when your country got fucked up after the earthquake!

By Sad idiots!, at August 04, 2011 6:21 pm
lots of people calling England arrogant here.

If it weren't for England, rugby wouldn't be played in New Zealand. Or the rest of the world for that matter.

If it weren't for England, New Zealand wouldn't exist. And you wouldn't be reading our language right now.

If it weren't for England, the only fashion debates in Aotearoa would be about the varying shades of grass skirt.

So we can be arrogant, and you can be fucking grateful.

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 8:23 pm
IF its arrogant of the english to do this then equally it is of NZ to think no one else can have a black shirt because they are called the all blacks....

very bored of this, its not going to change, but still good to kill a spare few mins at work

and stand by what I say being an introvert or introverted group its a bad thing, and this is coming from studying different groups in a master of business. some of the most successful companies are i.e. Apple. So I am sure you mean it as an insult, but thanks I see it as a complement

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 11:47 pm
@Sad Idiots says...

A voice of reason on a page full of more shit than a cow shed...

Couldnt agree more, bored of how some of the commonwealth nations adds so much weight to negatives and so little to the positives that UK does for them. Plus there lack of Historic knowledge or desire to ignore it. For example look at the countries that were colonized in the past compare to those that werent. You would to struggle to argue that you werent better off in the long run.

And seriously making out the english are so bad when we have given aid to pretty much every national disaster recently.

and all over the colour of a stupid shirt

By Anonymous, at August 04, 2011 11:57 pm
FUCK THE ENGLISH

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 1:14 am
Wow must have taken you so long to think of that, such a well-educated response to the discussion

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 1:28 am
England suck at all sports. Who cares!!!!

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 1:52 am
Far out.....I'm an NZer and to be honest.....NZ GET OVER IT! Who cares what colour England's away strip is! All that matters is who is going to be holding the cup at the end of the RWC...or what? Is their black away strip going to be another excuse we use IF we lose it?

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 12:09 pm
Just a thought, the welsh away kit is black.... discuss...

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 1:22 pm
NZ dont own the colour black! and i dont see england moaning that NZ away kit is white!

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 2:41 pm
When talking in general terms about a group of people, introverted is not meant in that sense.
It refers to a general tendency to focus only on that groups view, their goals, their needs and their opinions, at the expense of other groups views, goals, needs and opinions.

Incorrect.

Completely and utterly incorrect.

I think the word you're thinking of is "insular".

Sadly a LOT of English people do indeed have an insular mindset, but they hardly have a copywright on insularity - look no further than the comments from some non-English people on this very page for proof of that.

By Official Pedant, at August 05, 2011 6:08 pm
I can see it now... NZ getting raped out in the quarters, and all eyes and hate and blame turn to the English for wearing a black kit or even owning a black kit....it was the english teams fault, they ruined the world cup, and guess what? the 2011 world cup won't count anymore...

Yeh the team that wins didnt deserve to win and it doesnt count because if england hadn't shown a black kit back in August we'd never have choked and blah blah blah...

I with the others, i hope to fuck none of the predicted teams win it, i hope it goes to a team that has never won it before, least then it will shut everyone up and make people actually learn to concentrate on the game rather than some dumbfuck fashion contest!

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 6:10 pm
I don't like !
Je n'aime pas comme on dit dans mon vieux pays ...
Mais il faut dire que je n'aime pas beaucoup les Anglais !
I don't like very much Brits ...

By Tenep from Paris, at August 05, 2011 6:36 pm
Good for you chappy from Paris. However I think you'll find most brits hate the stereotypical british chav lout that goes on package holidays to get sunburnt and hammered and basically live what they interpret to be a "BRI-ISH LIFE" in about 40 degrees....

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 7:53 pm
To the French guy, well I suppose it would be hard to like a country that help fight along side you, oh wait, you guys didn't fight did you.

I'll import a picture of the French National Flag just below this writing:

^^^^^ It's up there can't you see it? maybe its the white background thats playing havoc!

By Anonymous, at August 05, 2011 7:56 pm