New Zealand Rugby Sponsor Air NZ's Men In Black-Themed Safety Video Goes Viral

The All Blacks and England's World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson are "the stars of Air New Zealand's latest safety video:" a spoof of the hit '90s film Men in Black, according to Oliver Smith of the London TELEGRAPH. Richie McCaw and Dan Carter play the suited agents, "strutting in to meet Rip Torn and Frank the Pug." They then engage in "some questionable dance moves while fullback Israel Dagg rather impressively raps the in-flight briefing" alongside Stan Walker, the '09 winner of Australian Idol. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen and teammates Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read and Sam Whitelock join in, and "there's even a surprise appearance from Martin Johnson as a horned, cloak-attired alien." McCaw: "We had a lot of laughs on set and were blown away by Israel's hidden singing talent. If rugby doesn't work out for him he clearly has a promising career as a back-up singer" (TELEGRAPH, 8/13). In Cardiff, Jon Doel reported the "brilliant promotional film" was released overnight by New Zealand's chief sponsors Air New Zealand. The "big budget flight safety video" is set to Will Smith's "iconic tune that accompanied the hit films." It has been watched by more than 220,000 people in less than 24 hours and has received "rave reviews." It is "certainly a far cry from the normally mundane aeroplane safety videos passengers are required to sit through before every flight" (WALES ONLINE, 8/13). The SYDNEY MORNING HERALD reported Air New Zealand Head of Global Brand Development Jodi Williams said that the airline was "crazy about rugby," making the All Blacks "the perfect partner for its latest safety offering" (SMH, 8/13).