New All Blacks jersey and bespoke, all-new jersey for the Black Ferns unveiled, as part of adidas’ ambition to level the playing field in rugby and represent the next generation of players.
Both replica jerseys are made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic, an important step for adidas’ commitment to a sustainable future.
The all-new Black Ferns jersey is crafted with PRIMEBLUE, a high-performance recycled material made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic, and PASMO CHILL, a knitted material which keeps players cool as they play and is optimized for supreme fit and comfort.
The new All Blacks playing jersey is made with super-strong Dyneema® yarns, which are 15 times stronger than steel and is 35 percent lighter than previous designs, giving players unparalleled strength and fit to match the intensity of the modern game.
adidas and New Zealand Rugby have today unveiled two stunning, new jerseys for the All Blacks and the Black Ferns, packed with innovative new features and cutting-edge design, resulting in high-performance uniforms fit for the equally high-performing teams.
For the first time in the Black Ferns’ 30-year history, adidas have created a dedicated, bespoke design with the team, specifically tailored to accommodate the demands of the women’s game.
Over the last two years, Black Ferns players took part in innovative body-mapping sessions, material testing and also gave feedback on what they wanted in a jersey. The players said presenting themselves as women on the field was equally important as presenting themselves as the fierce, rugby athletes they are. The result of these insights is a bespoke jersey that supports this desire in the form of a sleek, athletic and feminine silhouette.
The jersey features PRIMEBLUE, a high-performance recycled material made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic, and PASMO CHILL, a knitted material that allows for temperature regulation, allowing the players to keep cool on the field.
Black Ferns senior player Lesley Elder commented: “It’s hard to put into words what this moment means to our team. I’m excited to be part of the journey towards elevating the women’s game and seeing our sport get the recognition it deserves. This jersey is designed to inspire the future of our game and we cannot wait to wear it on the field and motivate the next generation of girls and women in New Zealand to pick up a rugby ball and chase their dreams.”
All Blacks players also gave feedback on their jersey design, and adidas has equipped them with an innovation-fuelled jersey which provides them with superior strength and fit as they play. For the first time ever, the All Blacks match jerseys are made with super-strong Dyneema® yarns, which offer enhanced durability and are 15 times stronger than steel.
A new collar design sees the return of a primarily black collar with white detailing and the classic Mandarin collar design, while the new modernized cuff construction is designed to improve comfort and shaping around the bicep. The match jersey is also 35 percent lighter than previous designs, providing an improved fit without compromising on strength, and is designed to react and stretch with the player as they move on the field.
All Blacks Captain Sam Cane commented: “What we wear and what that represents is a huge part of our nation’s heritage. There is a responsibility that comes with wearing the All Blacks jersey and we take that responsibility seriously. The jersey is iconic for us, not only in the way it looks, but also in how it supports us when we’re playing on the field. That’s why we’re always keen to be involved in the development of any new jersey. We love working with the team at adidas to ensure each new design is refined to reflect the modern needs of the game, so we can make the iconic jersey even more special.”
As part of adidas’ continued efforts towards ending plastic waste, the bespoke Black Ferns jersey as well as the replica All Blacks jersey available to purchase feature PRIMEBLUE, a high-performance recycled material made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic, intercepted on remote islands, beaches, coastal communities and shorelines preventing it from polluting our oceans. Products made with PRIMEBLUE use a minimum of 40 percent recycled content.
Matthew Fielding, Category Director – Global Brands, adidas, commented: “The All Blacks and Black Ferns jersey launches are about recognizing a need for change and addressing it. By launching the jerseys together for the first time, we wanted to focus on addressing our ambition to be the most sustainable brand in rugby and celebrate the diversity and inclusion within the world of rugby. We hope to continue our dedication to creating sporting apparel that is not only functional and innovative but sustainable, while inspiring the next generation of players, particularly female players, to know that anything is possible.”
The new All Blacks jersey is available to purchase from today, August 4th, and the team will wear it for the first time when they take on Australia in the Bledisloe Cup Test presented by Steinlager at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday August 7th. The Black Ferns jersey will be available to purchase on September 1st and will be worn for the first time when the Black Ferns take on Australia at Rugby Park, Christchurch, on September 26th.
Courtesy of NZ Rugby
