The All Blacks' new alternate strip was revealed ahead of Saturday's clash against France in Paris, according to the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. The reaction "was instantaneous." Even Northland MP and New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters "weighed in." Peters: "No amount of psycho-babble propaganda will make those who think it doesn't cut it change their minds, including us. ... Clearly it's a sponsor pulling the strings for a new design in which their name dominates -- on the new jersey the silver fern and the All Blacks name appear as an afterthought with AIG taking center place in giant lettering." Readers described the black and white jersey as "terrible" and "ugly." Below are a few of the reactions:
Bad idea ... ugly ... would never buy it.
- George
Terrible jersey. But then anything Adidas has touched jersey wise is dreadful. Look at the provincial jersey. Looks like the players are wearing kindergarten bibs.
- Richard
I'm a competent creative directing graphic designer with 30+ years of experience, and I can assure you this is crap. It reeks of corporate sponsorship marketing folly, looks like a circus clown (I guess we're on trend there), and smells like a regurgitated '07 turd.
- Warren (NZ HERALD, 11/21).
AER LINGUS CREW SWALLOWS PRIDE: The NZ HERALD reported in a separate piece the crew of Irish airline Aer Lingus "has swallowed its pride and donned All Blacks tops after losing a bet to Air New Zealand." The two airlines made a public pact before Sunday's Ireland vs. New Zealand rematch in Dublin -- "betting that the losing nation's national carrier would wear the winning side's rugby jersey." Aer Lingus "posted a short video of Air New Zealand crew handing over All Blacks tops for them to wear." The four crew members in the video smile and hold them up -- "however forced the smiles appear." But the airline said it all when it posted, "A deal is a deal" (
NZ HERALD, 11/21).
