ADIDAS AND NEW ZEALAND RUGBY CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF RUGBY’S MOST SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP WITH NEW KIT RELEASE
Adidas and New Zealand Rugby have unveiled their latest jersey designs, set to be sported for the 2024 international season. Tracing back to the origins of the partnership, adidas designers revisited iconic design elements associated with New Zealand Rugby to create a shirt that has been 25 years in the making for both the All Blacks and Black Ferns.
The jersey, striking in its simplicity, features a traditional all-black base embellished with unique silver detailing – chosen for its customary use to commemorate a 25th anniversary – on an enlarged fern emblem, the adidas logo, and the iconic three stripes which, for the first time, run down both shoulders. The jersey is accentuated by the reintroduction of an all-white collar design; a beloved feature seen on some of the most cherished New Zealand Rugby jerseys, including the design that witnessed the All Blacks clinch the 2011 Rugby World CupTM.
Crafted based on specific player feedback, the All Blacks version boasts a double-knit fold-over design, while the Black Ferns jersey features a round neck design. For the first time, the Black Ferns and All Blacks are united under a single design, forging a special connection between two of the sport’s top teams. Designed for performance and to support players on the global stage during high-pressure moments, the jersey has been created in close collaboration with players from both teams.
Although the jersey design is consistent for both, the Black Ferns and All Blacks each have a custom performance silhouette. The fit is highly specific, and tailor-made player versions have been developed for both the men’s and women’s teams to complement the body, using insights derived from detailed body mapping of both squads.
Underneath the design, ergonomic side panels on the abdominal area closely contour the body in key contact areas for a snug, three-dimensional fit. This minimizes the chance for opposing players to grip the shirt in close contact, while the set-in-sleeve structure ensures a robust construction, primed for optimal performance.
RUAHEI DEMANT, BLACK FERNS COMMENTED: “Wearing the black jersey is an honour and a privilege, and something every Black Fern and All Black understands the significance of – we are representing our people every time we step onto the pitch. We’ve enjoyed incredible success across the duration of the partnership with adidas and I’m constantly impressed at the ways in which each kit feels new and unique, while staying true to DNA of the jersey.
JORDIE BARRETT, ALL BLACKS COMMENTED: “The jersey holds a special place to the people of this nation. To be involved in the development process of this shirt has been an incredible honour. As a player – we have a responsibility to ensure it is always passed on to the next generation in a better place. So, to witness adidas’ commitment to also ensuring each jersey builds on the last, has been incredible. As soon as the players saw the potential for a return to the iconic white collar – we were in complete agreement that it was a feature we would love to return. Watching the Black Ferns run out onto the pitch in the new design last month, filled us not only with excitement for our own upcoming matches, but also pride that we can celebrate this moment as one team, together. ”
The alliance between adidas and New Zealand Rugby is associated with numerous iconic moments in the sport. Since 1999, the Black Ferns have clinched the World Champions title five times (2002, 2006, 2010, 2017, 2021* played in 2022), and the All Blacks have been World Champions twice (2011, 2015) – a remarkable legacy that is encapsulated in the design of the latest jersey.
The on-pitch jersey is crafted with a high-performance yarn that comprises at least 89% recycled polyester, while the replica jersey is made entirely of recycled polyester.
In addition to the on-pitch jersey – exclusively worn by the players – and the replica fan version, the launch collection also includes a special New Zealand Rugby x adidas Originals lifestyle collection, featuring a unique New Zealand Rugby Gazelle trainer. This new collection enables fans to express their support in their own unique style, regardless of the occasion, and signifies a major expansion in adidas rugby’s lifestyle and performance offerings.
Introduced on pitch by the Black Ferns in the Pacific Four Series 2024, fan versions of the Black Ferns and All Blacks jerseys are available from 1 July starting at €80, while the New Zealand Rugby x adidas Originals lifestyle collection is already available in selected retail stores and from www.adidas.com/rugby.
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