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.
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
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
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 certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments