Blacks brave the catwalk in fashion statement

FURTHER evidence that Rugby is going soft? Well, that’s the obvious conclusion when hard-as-nails All Black Carl Hayman was forced to sashay down a catwalk in New Zealand at the behest of the moneymen from adidas.

Sat, 28 Apr, 2007 - 01:00

Tony Leen

The Highlanders prop was joined by Nick Evans, Ma’a Nonu and Rodney So’oialo as the All Black jersey for Rugby World Cup 2007 was revealed to gasps of appreciation from the fashionistas of the sporting world.

But whilst Hayman wore a face of defiled dignity, Nonu — who sports highlights and slaps on the mascara on match days — luxuriated in the warm glow of the popping flashbulbs.

At first glance, the jersey resembles the sort of skin-tight purist’s nightmare pioneered by England in 2003. But no: adidas has trumped Nike by producing “a three-dimensional garment”.

If that isn’t impressive enough, the All Blacks will benefit from the very latest “bodymapping” and “ForMotion” technology, “venting”, “bonded seams” and “form-fitting fabric to reduce chafing and irritation”.

The manufacturers, who claim to have spent 28 months developing the jersey, claim that the new collarless design is 45% lighter than the last offering, which will be music to the ears of the like of Jerry Collins who would struggle under the weight of, well, an uprooted oak.

But the magic runs even deeper than that, as Greig Bramwell — CEO of adidas New Zealand — was only too happy to explain. “During a rugby game, holding a ball, lifting, catching , passing, and setting up for a tackle, requires players to have their arms out in front of their body, rather than down by their sides,” revealed Bramwell.

“So the jersey has been designed to support that body position — it is a three-dimensional garment.”

Not even the sacred silver fern was spared an ‘upgrade’ in the name of science. The symbol that has been held close to New Zealand’s bravest hearts for over a century will now also appear in their armpits in the shape of “black-on-black mesh inserts”.

The jerseys are available in this country from next month.