All Blacks Unveil New Alternate Strip; Cop Plenty For Its Ugliness

They wear one of the most famous strips in international sport, but the All Blacks have been coping plenty of stick for their new alternate jersey, which was unveiled two days ago.

New Zealand will play France in Paris this coming weekend in a jersey that is a combination of white and black – and features their main sponsor AIG prominently on the front.

The new jersey was revealed by All Blacks captain Kieran Read on a Kiwi breakfast television show – and further publicized by the famous side's shirt sponsors Adidas, and New Zealand Rugby, in a serious of PR shots featuring star players looking overly serious.

Thoughts on the new — EatSleepRugby (@eatsleeprugby)November 21, 2016

Immediately, the new strip drew widespread criticism on around New Zealand.

Winston Peters, New Zealand First leader and long-time rebel rousing MP, slammed the jersey for its corporate-ness.

"No amount of pyscho-babble propaganda will make those who think it doesn't cut it change their minds," Peters told the New Zealand Herald.

"Clearly, it's a sponsor pulling the strings for a new design in which their name dominates – on the new jersey the silver fern and the All Blacks name appear as an afterthought with AIG taking centre place in giant lettering."

@AllBlacks new away jersey is a shocker! Have we learnt nothing about wearing ugly jerseys when playing the French? #RWC2007
— Greg (@le_friwi) November 21, 2016

"The technology may be wonderful, that I can understand taking two years but the design and AIG prominence does not promote the All Blacks or New Zealand," one Herald commentator wrote.

"[And] worse, the design does emphasise man boobs and guts. On fit amazing men these shirts make them look flabby - how will they look on the average [sic] kiwi. Love the All Blacks, love all our fabulous athletes … this shirt belongs with the Olympics uniforms - in the recycle bin."

Traditionally, the All Blacks have played in all white alternate strips when playing against home sides with darker jerseys, such as France and Scotland.

New #allblacks away jersey looks like a licorice flavoured Trumpet pic.twitter.com/VyHqTORhad
— Nikolai Smith (@nikolaiasmith) November 21, 2016

Grey was also experimented with too; infamously during the 2007 Rugby World Cup when the All Blacks lost to France in their quarterfinal in Cardiff.

Despite the criticism, some are suggested Kiwi rugby fans are missing the point about the fact New Zealand has money to spend on new kits. Earlier this year, Manu Samoa wore the exact same jerseys for three straight test matches, due to their union being unable to pay for new strips for each match.