All Blacks fans could be in the red as kit costs bite

IT ALL adds up, and even notoriously tight All Blacks fans are going to have to pony up next month.

New Zealand fans who want to watch the World Cup in the latest replica gear will spend almost $500 (€289) to be fully kitted out but despite looking the picture of patriotism, none of the gear emblazoned with the silver fern is made in New Zealand.

Adidas has been facing a storm of criticism after it was revealed its All Blacks jerseys were being sold to supporters buying from overseas websites for about half the New Zealand retail price.

Scarves and jackets are also cheaper on the websites, meaning a fan could save at least $75 (€43) by shopping online.

The sportswear giant has refused to budge over the price of the jerseys, and has pressured overseas websites to stop selling them to New Zealand. But a survey of adidas products reveals national borders matter little when it comes to the company’s production. Its All Blacks rugby balls are made in Pakistan, scarves in Turkey, beanies in Taiwan, jackets in China, and jerseys in Thailand and China.