NZRU black as jersey debate resurfaces
The trembles are getting worse:D :D
NZRU black as jersey debate resurfaces
By JIM KAYES in Toulouse - Fairfax Media | Sunday, 30 September 2007
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4220534a10295.html
A coin toss will decide whether the All Blacks wear black should France have been confirmed this morning as their World Cup quarter-final opponent.
And with no way to stop what appears to have been a deliberate ambush of the famous black strip at this World Cup, the New Zealand Rugby Union is working to ensure it won't happen again in 2011.
France have darkened their blue jersey – some think in a deliberate move to force the All Blacks to wear their silver alternative strip if they meet in the playoffs.
But NZRU chief executive Chris Moller, who reiterated his disappointment at what appeared to be an attack on the black jersey, warned France it could backfire on them.
"I don't know why France have done it but they do risk the situation of us wining the coin toss and they play in a very non-traditional [white] jersey."
The All Blacks' jersey hit the headlines last week when they were forced to wear their alternative strip to avoid a clash with Scotland's dark blue.
However, a remodelled Scottish jersey still clashed with the All Blacks second jersey making it hard for spectators at Murrayfield and television viewers to tell the teams apart.
Moller said the NZRU was disappointed by what had happened in Edinburgh.
"It was clearly difficult for the players and the spectators, and it was obviously very bad for the broadcast audience."
Moller made it clear the clash was the IRB's fault as the All Blacks World Cup apparel was submitted to them last year and the jerseys accepted.
"We never sighted the Scotland jersey in advance of the game. We saw some drawings 24 hours ahead but beyond that we were unaware of what they would be wearing and had anticipated they'd be wearing their normal jersey.
"I don't know the motivations behind it," Moller said of Scotland shift to a blue and white jersey.
"So much is changing in professional rugby but surely we can maintain the integrity of national jerseys. To that extent we hope the IRB will act for the future."
Moller admitted the NZRU was concerned unions were able to change their traditional strip without consulting any other unions it might affect.
"It doesn't mean there can't be change, it just means there needs to be a good, logical reason for that change and not solely driven by commercial activities which perhaps may be happening to other jerseys."
Moller has already asked the IRB for a more detailed consultation process to be imposed, but the idea was rejected by the other major unions.
However, Wales have since complained after England wore a red jersey in a World Cup warmup game against the Red Dragons.
"So I've re-raised, following the Scotland game, this whole issue with the IRB," Moller said.
"I think there is probably now a greater understanding of the need to make some progress on this issue, but it won't affect this World Cup."
It means nothing can be done before the quarter final – if it is against France.
"If we win the coin toss we will wear our traditional black jersey," Moller said. "If we lose the coin toss we will have to play in the alternative silver strip. That's a fact of life with the potential clash of colours."
Moller admitted the All Blacks were worried that, if France have finished first in pool D this morning, and could play the All Blacks in the final, that they will have to wear their silver jersey in such a historic game.
"It's precisely why we wrote to the IRB back in May. We are not arrogant enough to say we will be in the final but there was always the potential."
