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Kiwi Super Rugby teams 'grey' away jerseys labelled worst ever by fans
Super Rugby’s early January start hasn’t got off to a great start with low crowd numbers seen across the competition and bizarre colour schemes for New Zealand’s teams.
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Ironically, many fans believe the Kiwi teams’ ‘recycled’ jerseys need to be put in the bin.
The reception of the away jerseys has not been great, which have not only diverged away from the franchise’s traditional colours but even clashed with the opposition.
Last week’s opening clash for the Hurricanes saw the team don blueish/grey kit which was a direct clash with the Stormers own home blue kit when they played at Newlands, becoming an eyesore for the audience trying to differentiate the two.
Jersey clash in Super Rugby now. Awesome ???? #STOvHUR
— Shaun Dayman (@shaunnzht) February 1, 2020
bloody hell this game is going to be confusing… and I thought last year's superhero bullshit was bad. and yes, I am just catching up from last weekend lol #STOvHUR pic.twitter.com/Vt5hYGHFXG
— therugbyfanshaz (@therugbyfanshaz) February 7, 2020
The Crusaders, a franchise built on a red and black identity, donned kit eerily similar to the Hurricanes against the Chiefs when their traditional red kit would have been perfect against the Chiefs’ home black kit.
I'm not a fan of the Hurricanes or Saders away jerseys. The colour reminds me of when all NZ teams had those awful grey jerseys around 2007.
— Kendall Forbes (@KendallForbes) February 8, 2020
Really got to wonder, at a time when connection with Super Rugby teams is so low, why they parade out teams in away jerseys with no connection to their franchise and instead some blue rubbish with a tenuous recycled plastic connection. Absolutely ridiculous. #CHIvCRU
— Elliott Smith (@elliottnz) February 8, 2020
Crusaders away jersey should be white with black and red trim. I have no idea what that was today. That shade of blue has no connection with any of the provincial unions either.
— Sam (@danskco) February 8, 2020
This Crusader's away jersey ???
— Sevbonez (@Sev_Jasson) February 8, 2020
I don't watch rugby very often – is it a new thing that the Crusaders don't wear red and black jerseys? #sacrillege
— Dean Bedford (@DeanJBedford) February 8, 2020
Looking good this arvo. On another point, which is worse, Crusaders away jersey or the new logo?
— Dave (@djfgs83) February 8, 2020
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If they can see past those Crusaders jerseys ?
— Daniel (@735Doon) February 8, 2020
This Crusaders jersey is fuuuuggly. Not as bad as the Bulls camo, but up there. #CHIvCRU
— Brittany Mitchell (@BrittMitchell11) February 8, 2020
I wish the Crusaders were in their home jersey…. #CHIvCRU pic.twitter.com/Vm5Z701ksr
— Two Cents Rugby (@TwoCentsRugby) February 8, 2020
The alternate jerseys are part of a marketing push for a ‘recycled’ jersey using plastics from the ocean. The only problem is the colour schemes have no connection to the franchises resulting in bland looks for the teams.
The jerseys remind fans of the ‘grey’ away look from many of the Kiwi sides donned through the late 2000s that were already resoundingly rejected.
Why are the Hurricanes wearing that horrible grey shirt again? @Hurricanesrugby #JAGvHUR
— Kiwitalian Golfer (@kiwitaliano) February 8, 2020
I'm not a fan of the Hurricanes or Saders away jerseys. The colour reminds me of when all NZ teams had those awful grey jerseys around 2007.
— Kendall Forbes (@KendallForbes) February 8, 2020
Lotta tears (and rightfully so) about alternate/away strips for SR teams. This is about the only thing the Blues have more or less got right over the years. Hurricanes, Highlanders, and now Jihadi's are wearing effing greys and blues. wtf?!
— Westie Stylz (@westiestylz) February 8, 2020
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The need for an alternate colour scheme or ‘away’ jersey doesn’t exist in the New Zealand conference when all five Kiwi franchises have different colours to begin with.
If an alternate jersey is required, teams should look to adopt a ‘classic’ look with a throwback design from the early stages of the Super Rugby competition. The Chiefs’ 1996 heritage jersey last year was simple but effective for an impressive look.
Sevu Reece extends his contract with NZR & Crusaders:
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments