All Bleus

[OHS]

Adidas, as new kit suppliers of the French team, have unveiled their new get up.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/255210_249559428480303_1333756388_n.jpg

Thankfully (IMO) they've gone back to the traditional French blue, which, I must say, looks a whole lot better than the dark blue that Nike had them in.

There is something else about it as well. That advertising slogan and white collar. Is it just me, or does it remind anyone else of a certain other test team...

[Lizard]

Nice jersey. But I don't think France need to piggy back on the All Blacks brand. Presumably it is all by agreement - I think the NZRU/Adidas deal means that the Adidas needs the OK of NZRU before kitting out any other team.

You should just just hope they don't put you in a grey alternate strip...

[Leniency?]

Pretenders.

[Tribeman]

definitely an improvement on the RWC effort. I like it.

wish they'd gone back to white shorts/red socks though

[Lizard]

definitely an improvement on the RWC effort. I like it.

wish they'd gone back to white shorts/red socks though

I didn't notice the shorts were still blue. I agree they should go back to white shorts.

[OHS]

definitely an improvement on the RWC effort. I like it.

wish they'd gone back to white shorts/red socks though

They've got the socks, but not the shorts.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/556652_249558101813769_720491515_n.jpg

[tigran]

Nz fans, with france...you're funny...

Addidas had been the sponsor of France for decades, it's just been recently that nike got the nod...

Now is just a return to old ways.

[tigran]

Btw I don't really like it..

[EyeSpy]

Btw I don't really like it..

White shorts would have looked better. Not sure about the two rashers of streaky bacon he's balancing on his shoulders either. It is good that they've returned to the traditional France blue.

[Owain Glyndwr]

Btw I don't really like it..

it looks odd with the blue shorts but it would look far better with white ones. looks like style from the 80's only tighter fitting rather than loose.

[Tre]

The shirt is really, really good... Like the old adidas ones from the late 80s early 90s.

[Tribeman]

They've got the socks, but not the shorts.

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/556652_249558101813769_720491515_n.jpg

looks a little bit like a Rugby League kit in that pic. Probably just the stripes.


I wish more sides would make a return to jerseys like this. The vast majority of pro rugby kits these days are fckin horrific.

[morepork]

That's not too bad. The players also have nice wavy hair cuts to slip seamlessly into an '80s theme.

[JohnBuggy]

definitely an improvement on the RWC effort. I like it.

wish they'd gone back to white shorts/red socks though

Dem were the days me auld flower....

http://zeceintop.ro/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Philippe-Sella-France.jpg

And as for the away strip....Je ne sais quoi..

:kiss:

http://perlbal.hi-pi.com/blog-images/65656/gd/1253897818/Portrait-de-joueur-n-5-PHILIPPE-SELLA.jpg

Even the poofballers wore a lurverly combo of red, white and blue!!!

http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/gallery/michel-platini-prime/pa-384418.jpg

[Prysiau]

Nice jersey. But I don't think France need to piggy back on the All Blacks brand. Presumably it is all by agreement - I think the NZRU/Adidas deal means that the Adidas needs the OK of NZRU before kitting out any other team.

Not for much longer. I see Jed Thian's been doing his nut in, crying about the imminent sponsorship deal the Blacks have agreed on.

Still Adidas as the manufacturer. No idea who the sponsor is. Steinlager did it last time.

[Lizard]

Not for much longer. I see Jed Thian's been doing his nut in, crying about the imminent sponsorship deal the Blacks have agreed on.

Still Adidas as the manufacturer. No idea who the sponsor is. Steinlager did it last time.

Adidas's current All Blacks deal is locked in until 2019 (unless they're being bought out of it). The rumour is that AIG is in talks to be a shirt sponsor, but I just don't see adidas allowing someone else to splat a big logo on what is essentially their jersey, given the money involved. Someone else (Wynne Gray?) has speculated that AIG will get on the jerseys for the "Maori All Blacks" and "All Blacks Sevens" (as they are now called) and Jedi has got his wires crossed. Jedi claims to have got his info from an AIG big-wig but I suspect an American insurance executive wouldn't know a Maori All Black from a real All Black from a hole in the ground. It might actually have been a nice double-play by the NZRU. The Sevens jersey already has a sponsor (Air New Zealand) and I'm not too fussed about the Maori one (traditionally plain black but Adidas added three sleeve stripes). I'm not even sure the Maori have played since 2010 although I think there is a NH tour planned.

Wow. How OT am I?

[tigran]

Adidas's current All Blacks deal is locked in until 2019 (unless they're being bought out of it). The rumour is that AIG is in talks to be a shirt sponsor, but I just don't see adidas allowing someone else to splat a big logo on what is essentially their jersey, given the money involved. Someone else (Wynne Gray?) has speculated that AIG will get on the jerseys for the "Maori All Blacks" and "All Blacks Sevens" (as they are now called) and Jedi has got his wires crossed. Jedi claims to have got his info from an AIG big-wig but I suspect an American insurance executive wouldn't know a Maori All Black from a real All Black from a hole in the ground. It might actually have been a nice double-play by the NZRU. The Sevens jersey already has a sponsor (Air New Zealand) and I'm not too fussed about the Maori one (traditionally plain black but Adidas added three sleeve stripes). I'm not even sure the Maori have played since 2010 although I think there is a NH tour planned.

Wow. How OT am I?

Phoque you manage to make the french shirt appear as a resucée of the blacks one...maybe the worst thing for the NZers was to see that their team was given the WC..

From being obsessed you are probably turning completely dependent ... But you probably were before though..

[Lizard]

Phoque you manage to make the french shirt appear as a resucée of the blacks one...maybe the worst thing for the NZers was to see that their team was given the WC..

From being obsessed you are probably turning completely dependent ... But you probably were before though..

Like I said - I got a bit Off Topic there. Sorry. But now I have learnt a new French word.

If anything, it was Nike trying to copy the All Black's strip with that dark blue number. What did they call it? Diesel? Come to think of it, it was Nike that put England in black jerseys too. Sorry, "Anthracite" jerseys.

At least Adidas has some respect for tradition. If only they'd realise the need for short blanc.

[canute]

Like I said - I got a bit Off Topic there. Sorry. But now I have learnt a new French word.

If anything, it was Nike trying to copy the All Black's strip with that dark blue number. What did they call it? Diesel? Come to think of it, it was Nike that put England in black jerseys too. Sorry, "Anthracite" jerseys.

Our grey jerseys were 'Anthracite'. Yours were 'silver' weren't they?

At least Adidas has some respect for tradition.

http://38.img.v4.skyrock.net/38e/dan-carter-supporters/pics/1373459432_small.jpg

[Lizard]

Our grey jerseys were 'Anthracite'. Yours were 'silver' weren't they?

The emphasis is on the "some" re adidas's respect for tradition.

I can't remember what our grey jerseys were called. It could have been "Silver" to try and link in with the Silver Fern, I suppose. Fwkn grey disaster is what they actually were.

As for yours, even the ref called them "black." "Anthracite" is a kind of coal and I've never heard the saying "as grey as coal." Actually, on that point, you can just imagine if Nike got the Springbok contract, they'd have the Saffers in a very, very dark alternate strip in record time and probably call it "Transformation."

[canute]

The emphasis is on the "some" re adidas's respect for tradition.

I can't remember what our grey jerseys were called. It could have been "Silver" to try and link in with the Silver Fern, I suppose. Fwkn grey disaster is what they actually were.

As for yours, even the ref called them "black." "Anthracite" is a kind of coal and I've never heard the saying "as grey as coal." Actually, on that point, you can just imagine if Nike got the Springbok contract, they'd have the Saffers in a very, very dark alternate strip in record time and probably call it "Transformation."

You misunderstand. The 'anthracite' jersey was the 2010 one, pictured below. At the time, everyone not employed by Nike or the RFU referred to it as 'grey', because it was grey. A dark shade, but clearly still grey:

http://www.espnscrum.com/PICTURES/CMS/14500/14548.2.jpg

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when you made earlier references to England's black jersey, I assumed you were referring to the RWC jersey, which is the one that caused all the fuss and angered so many of your precious, ignorant compatriots:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01963/shirt_1963023c.jpg

[Lizard]

You misunderstand. The 'anthracite' jersey was the 2010 one, pictured below. At the time, everyone not employed by Nike or the RFU referred to it as 'grey', because it was grey. A dark shade, but clearly still grey:

http://www.espnscrum.com/PICTURES/CMS/14500/14548.2.jpg

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when you made earlier references to England's black jersey, I assumed you were referring to the RWC jersey, which is the one that caused all the fuss and angered so many of your precious, ignorant compatriots:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01963/shirt_1963023c.jpg

I had completely forgotten about the RWC one. I accept that the whingers over that one were being precious, but why do you say "ignorant"?

[canute]

I had completely forgotten about the RWC one. I accept that the whingers over that one were being precious, but why do you say "ignorant"?

It was reported here (and in several other countries) that England had changed their main jersey to black and that if they met NZ in the WC, there would perhaps be a situation in which NZ would have to wear white, as England would choose to wear black. Those who thought that was the case and did not realise that it was simply an alternate jersey were clearly ignorant of the facts. Jonah Lomu, wonderful man that he is, was amongst the ignorant.

A further display of ignorance came from those that protested along the lines of "Everyone knows that NZ are the only team that wear black". This is of course not the case, as I am sure you know. Austria and Belgium immediately spring to mind and I'm pretty sure there are more.

[Lizard]

It was reported here (and in several other countries) that England had changed their main jersey to black and that if they met NZ in the WC, there would perhaps be a situation in which NZ would have to wear white, as England would choose to wear black. Those who thought that was the case and did not realise that it was simply an alternate jersey were clearly ignorant of the facts. Jonah Lomu, wonderful man that he is, was amongst the ignorant.

A further display of ignorance came from those that protested along the lines of "Everyone knows that NZ are the only team that wear black". This is of course not the case, as I am sure you know. Austria and Belgium immediately spring to mind and I'm pretty sure there are more.

I wasn't aware of anyone who didn't realise fairly quickly it was just an alternate strip, but then I wasn't looking very hard. If there were such people then I guess "ignorant" is fair enough (although perhaps a little harsh if that is what the media told them).

"Ignorance" of the playing strip colours of Austria and Belgium is, I guess, also technically accurate but it's hardly the sort of thing you would expect your average kiwi to know (or even your average Belgian or Austrian come to think of it). Division 2C of the European Nations Cup gets surprisingly little coverage here.

[Leniency?]

England are too sh*t to wear black. They're just pretenders too.

Even John Key reckons so. And John Key is my boi.

[canute]

I wasn't aware of anyone who didn't realise fairly quickly it was just an alternate strip, but then I wasn't looking very hard. If there were such people then I guess "ignorant" is fair enough (although perhaps a little harsh if that is what the media told them).

You are assuming that used 'ignorant' as an insult. Perhaps 'uninformed' would have been more appropriate. And trust me - there were plenty that thought it was some sort of evil RFU plot to stop NZ playing in black.

"Ignorance" of the playing strip colours of Austria and Belgium is, I guess, also technically accurate but it's hardly the sort of thing you would expect your average kiwi to know (or even your average Belgian or Austrian come to think of it). Division 2C of the European Nations Cup gets surprisingly little coverage here.

Yes, but anyone that believed NZ has a rightful monopoly on a colour is a dick. For example, John Key, who said, "There’s only one team that wears black with pride and that’s the All Blacks."

[Lizard]

You are assuming that used 'ignorant' as an insult. Perhaps 'uninformed' would have been more appropriate. And trust me - there were plenty that thought it was some sort of evil RFU plot to stop NZ playing in black.



Yes, but anyone that believed NZ has a rightful monopoly on a colour is a dick. For example, John Key, who said, "There’s only one team that wears black with pride and that’s the All Blacks."

I didn't assume you used "ignorant" as an insult, I inferred that directly from the context in which you used it.

As for John Key, I wouldn't take any politician's populist soundbite as reflective of his true understanding of a situation but in the context of top level rugby, and the RWC in particular, there actually is only one team that normally wears black jerseys whereas no other colour (as opposed to shades) is unique to one team.

Blue: France*, Italy, Argentina, Samoa, Namibia, Scotland, USA
Red: Wales, Japan, Tonga, Canada, Georgia, Russia
White: England, Fiji
Yellow: Australia, Romania
Green: Ireland, South Africa
Black: New Zealand

No doubt Key will forced to eat his words when Belgium qualify for a RWC.

*desperate attempt to get back On Topic

[tigran]

I didn't assume you used "ignorant" as an insult, I inferred that directly from the context in which you used it.

As for John Key, I wouldn't take any politician's populist soundbite as reflective of his true understanding of a situation but in the context of top level rugby, and the RWC in particular, there actually is only one team that normally wears black jerseys whereas no other colour (as opposed to shades) is unique to one team.

Blue: France*, Italy, Argentina, Samoa, Namibia, Scotland, USA
Red: Wales, Japan, Tonga, Canada, Georgia, Russia
White: England, Fiji
Yellow: Australia, Romania
Green: Ireland, South Africa
Black: New Zealand

No doubt Key will forced to eat his words when Belgium qualify for a RWC.

*desperate attempt to get back On Topic

Wowowow.... Bleu of france is Bleu Roy...And it's unique, that's the exception française for you kiwi..

And Aix en Provence wear black too, granted it's not a national team like belgium or austria but it's a beautiful city.

Whereas no other team, I mean REALLY no other team wear Bleu Roy. :)

[canute]

I've always thought that yellow would be an appropriate colour for France.

[Leniency?]

I've always thought that yellow would be an appropriate colour for France.

Yup, with a white flag on it.

The Germans also have a mainly black strip IIRC.

[Owain Glyndwr]

Yup, with a white flag on it.

The Germans also have a mainly black strip IIRC.

quite Dragon-esque, really. Black with a bit of gold and red sleeves on the sleeves. I believe the alternate strip (it might be the sevens stip, though) is mostly gold (yellow) with black and red.

[tigran]

Yup, with a white flag on it.

The Germans also have a mainly black strip IIRC.

it's always fun to read NZ repeating the same commonwealth delirium about the french when we now how they have surrendered to us in the past...And after all, you just needed a ref at home to manage to beat us by one point.

Now work your history too, France is the nation that won the most its wars..

[JohnBuggy]

it's always fun to read NZ repeating the same commonwealth delirium about the french when we now how they have surrendered to us in the past...And after all, you just needed a ref at home to manage to beat us by one point.

Now work your history too, France is the nation that won the most its wars..

Didn't yiz get yer derrieres regularly handed to yiz by the Boche and Tommy?

Crecy, Agincourt, Sedan, Trafalgar, Waterloo, WW1 and 2,Dien Bien Phu(Charlie too!).....

[tigran]

Didn't yiz get yer derrieres regularly handed to yiz by the Boche and Tommy?

Crecy, Agincourt, Sedan, Trafalgar, Waterloo, WW1 and 2,Dien Bien Phu(Charlie too!).....

like all the commonwealth dummies you are of course well fed with french defeats, although you need to redo your history about WW 1

Now let's see if you're good enough to mention all the victories...Way more numerous it's true, so might be too much for you..

[JohnBuggy]

like all the commonwealth dummies you are of course well fed with french defeats, although you need to redo your history about WW 1

Now let's see if you're good enough to mention all the victories...Way more numerous it's true, so might be too much for you..

http://olivierschmitt.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/surrender-monkey.jpg

[Which Tyler]

I wasn't aware of anyone who didn't realise fairly quickly it was just an alternate strip, but then I wasn't looking very hard. If there were such people then I guess "ignorant" is fair enough (although perhaps a little harsh if that is what the media told them).

"Ignorance" of the playing strip colours of Austria and Belgium is, I guess, also technically accurate but it's hardly the sort of thing you would expect your average kiwi to know (or even your average Belgian or Austrian come to think of it). Division 2C of the European Nations Cup gets surprisingly little coverage here.
I seem to remember the Welsh being remarkably similar in 2007, with our red alternative strip

[tigran]

http://olivierschmitt.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/surrender-monkey.jpg

ah well, another one of your own surrender trying to be cool...I wonder if you're gonna be fed up of it one day or if you just like being spanked.

[EyeSpy]

I seem to remember the Welsh being remarkably similar in 2007, with our red alternative strip

Might be an idea for England to stop mucking about with their jerseys?

[canute]

Might be an idea for England to stop mucking about with their jerseys?

I realise that you are on the WU, but considering that we should only ever need an alternate strip when hosting Fiji, what colour would you suggest? IIRC correctly, we've been through Navy, Purple, Red, 'Anthracite' and Black. So, managed to be hideously offensive to Scotland, USA, Wales, Tonga, Canada, Japan, Russia and Georgia as well as NZ. That's not even counting the dozens of lower tier nations that we have shown such heinous disrespect towards.

Of course, we are probably simply getting our own back, as I can remember seeing England shown complete disrespect by NZ, SA, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, USA and Georgia in recent years. It is frankly f**king offensive that of all the colours available, they chose to imitate England.

[EyeSpy]

I realise that you are on the WU, but considering that we should only ever need an alternate strip when hosting Fiji, what colour would you suggest? IIRC correctly, we've been through Navy, Purple, Red, 'Anthracite' and Black. So, managed to be hideously offensive to Scotland, USA, Wales, Tonga, Canada, Japan, Russia and Georgia as well as NZ. That's not even counting the dozens of lower tier nations that we have shown such heinous disrespect towards.

Of course, we are probably simply getting our own back, as I can remember seeing England shown complete disrespect by NZ, SA, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, USA and Georgia in recent years. It is frankly f**king offensive that of all the colours available, they chose to imitate England.

Respect can't be bought with a fancy new jersey colour, 'nute. It needs to be earned.

[EyeSpy]

I realise that you are on the WU, but considering that we should only ever need an alternate strip when hosting Fiji, what colour would you suggest?

Seriously, this is a question. If it's only an alternate strip, why do England use it so often? They've played in all sorts of colours in recent years when they could have used their traditional white strip without fear of being confused with their opposition.

[canute]

Respect can't be bought with a fancy new jersey colour, 'nute. It needs to be earned.

This seems like a good place to blame the Kiwis and Frogs for dragging us into professionalism. Back in the good old days, we'd just dig out any old jersey when Fiji came to Twickenham (we've still only ever hosted them twice, one of which was in a WC) and wear white the rest of the time, as things should be.

[canute]

Seriously, this is a question. If it's only an alternate strip, why do England use it so often? They've played in all sorts of colours in recent years when they could have used their traditional white strip without fear of being confused with their opposition.

It's normally once a season, probably to fulfil some contractual obligation with Nike. I don't like it, but that's the sh*tty side of professionalism.

However, my point, which I thought was rather obvious, is that in over 100 years of test rugby, do you know how many times England have needed to wear an alternate jersey? Twice. Fiji in 1989 and 1999. We wore blue in 1999 and I have no idea what we wore in 1989, but I would hazard a guess that it was blue as well. Twice in 654 matches does not a tradition make.

We do not have a traditional alternate jersey colour, so black is just as valid as any other colour.

Of course, the other point, that seems to have been missed by many is that any team can play in any colour it wants at any time regardless of how offended a bunch of small minded idiots in the South Pacific claim to be.

[EyeSpy]

It's normally once a season, probably to fulfil some contractual obligation with Nike. I don't like it, but that's the sh*tty side of professionalism.

However, my point, which I thought was rather obvious, is that in over 100 years of test rugby, do you know how many times England have needed to wear an alternate jersey? Twice. Fiji in 1989 and 1999. We wore blue in 1999 and I have no idea what we wore in 1989, but I would hazard a guess that it was blue as well. Twice in 654 matches does not a tradition make.

We do not have a traditional alternate jersey colour, so black is just as valid as any other colour.

Of course, the other point, that seems to have been missed by many is that any team can play in any colour it wants at any time regardless of how offended a bunch of small minded idiots in the South Pacific claim to be.

Your point is also my point, I think. Despite only needing a change strip twice in history, how many times have they used an alternate colour? More than twice. Probably more than once/season, I suspect. Certainly more than any other international team I can think of, all of who also have jersey sponsors to keep happy.

[canute]

Your point is also my point, I think. Despite only needing a change strip twice in history, how many times have they used an alternate colour? More than twice. Probably more than once/season, I suspect. Certainly more than any other international team I can think of, all of who also have jersey sponsors to keep happy.

I'm pretty sure the Welsh roll out some monstrosity once or twice a year. I remember grey, black and 'canary' all making appearances recently. Like England, they are in a position of not having a traditional alternate jersey.

Canada (1993, 2002, 2006, 2008) and Tonga (1997, 2001) are the only matches in which one would have been necessary and they are all within the last 20 years and mostly within the last 10.

Scotland, France and Italy are guaranteed an exposure of their change strip once a year and Ireland and South Africa meet regularly enough for their sponsors to know there will be exposure.

Nike seems to have been the driving force behind all this nonsense, at least with England and France. Hopefully Canterbury, despite being likely to supply us with horrible jerseys, will not be so aggressive in pushing the alternate one.

I would also like to see a return to the tradition of the home side changing colours. The 'away' jersey is a football thing.

[Leniency?]

You're debating rugby jerseys you utter ballbags.

Who gives a crap?

[canute]

You're debating rugby jerseys you utter ballbags.

Who gives a crap?

Most of your precious compatriots.

[Leniency?]

Most of your precious compatriots.

E.g people who don't know sh*t.

[hwntw]

I seem to remember the Welsh being remarkably similar in 2007, with our red alternative strip

Really? I just remember most people thinking it was funny and a bit sad. On the topic of black kits, Neath should take up a copyright, anybody who knows anything about the game knows there is only one original all blacks.

[Beefeater]

But I don't think France need to piggy back on the All Blacks brand.

? the shirt is a completely different colour. Surely you are not claiming ownership of the word 'all' now on their behalf?

Respect can't be bought with a fancy new jersey colour, 'nute. It needs to be earned.

Might be an idea for England to stop mucking about with their jerseys?

New jerseys aren't about respect, it ultimately doesn't matter what colour a team wears as it's all about the results on the pitch. New strips are about the bottom line - £££ and if they stop 'mucking about with jerseys' they unnecessarily restrict a source of profit, why would any RU want to do that?

You're debating rugby jerseys you utter ballbags.

Who gives a crap?

Agreed.

[Lizard]

? the shirt is a completely different colour. Surely you are not claiming ownership of the word 'all' now on their behalf?

No, I'm not saying they "can't" use the word "all" or that NZ has sole rights to it. I'm just saying that French rugby has sufficient history and dignity to not need to make an obvious reference to the All Blacks (no doubt linked to the common jersey sponsor) to market themselves or their strip. French fans would be right to complain that their side is being portrayed as copying the All Blacks. After all, France has a longer history in Bleu than we do in Black.

[tigran]

No, I'm not saying they "can't" use the word "all" or that NZ has sole rights to it. I'm just saying that French rugby has sufficient history and dignity to not need to make an obvious reference to the All Blacks (no doubt linked to the common jersey sponsor) to market themselves or their strip. French fans would be right to complain that their side is being portrayed as copying the All Blacks. After all, France has a longer history in Bleu than we do in Black.

I don't see where France is copying the blacks...And "All bleus" is not a french term..

[canute]

All jaunes.

[Lizard]

I don't see where France is copying the blacks...And "All bleus" is not a french term..

I'm not saying France is copying the All Blacks. I'm saying that Adidas's marketing department is drawing n unnecessary connection between "Les Bleus" and "All Blacks" by using the phrase "All Bleus" to advertise their new jersey. I don't where they are using that advertising. (I would have thought that mixing up English and French wouldn't go down well in France.)

To be perfectly clear, I am not saying that France are trying to copy the All Blacks, or that they have "stolen" something from us. I'm saying that Adidas have made a poor choice of slogan. It would be like if NZ chose a green alternate strip and Adidas advertised it as "Springblacks" or if Wales' shirt sponsor had advertised their canary yellow alternate with "Walesabies" or something.

Personally, I preferred the traditional "Les Tricolores" with the white shorts.

[canute]

Don't believe him, Tigran. He clearly said that France are copying the All Blacks.

[Lizard]

Don't believe him, Tigran. He clearly said that France are copying the All Blacks.

At least we'll have no issue with your lot nicking our name. England can have "All Whites." It's a stupid name and I hate that our soccer team uses it. Mind you I hate it even more that our U23 side is called the "Oly Whites" because, you know, they go to the Olympics (sometimes) and "Oly" sounds a bit like "All" (if you are a West Country retard of some sort).

[canute]

At least we'll have no issue with your lot nicking our name. England can have "All Whites." It's a stupid name and I hate that our soccer team uses it. Mind you I hate it even more that our U23 side is called the "Oly Whites" because, you know, they go to the Olympics (sometimes) and "Oly" sounds a bit like "All" (if you are a West Country retard of some sort).

What is it about NZ and cringe-inducing, contrived nicknames for sports teams?

[Leniency?]

At least we'll have no issue with your lot nicking our name. England can have "All Whites." It's a stupid name and I hate that our soccer team uses it. Mind you I hate it even more that our U23 side is called the "Oly Whites" because, you know, they go to the Olympics (sometimes) and "Oly" sounds a bit like "All" (if you are a West Country retard of some sort).

I hate the All Whites. I hate soccer. It's a dicks sport. All the loser kids that were to pathetic and weak to play rugby played it all through school. I remember one lunch time we decided to give them a game and we ruined them at their own sport. I can't remember the score but we hit double figures.

[Lizard]

What is it about NZ and cringe-inducing, contrived nicknames for sports teams?

I don't know. I think it's like a one-hit wonder band still plugging away decades after falling out of the charts.* We got it brilliantly right the first time with "All Blacks" and have stuck with the formula time and time again, despite all the evidence being that it doesn't work. You need a bloody handbook to work out what sport you're going to be watching. Aussie are nearly as bad. I mean, what would you expect of White Ferns v Matildas? Black Ferns v Opals?

This was good though: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/15/nz_badminton_kerfuffle/

*eg Europe (of The Final Countdown fame) has just released another (9th!) album.

[canute]

I don't know. I think it's like a one-hit wonder band still plugging away decades after falling out of the charts.* We got it brilliantly right the first time with "All Blacks" and have stuck with the formula time and time again, despite all the evidence being that it doesn't work. You need a bloody handbook to work out what sport you're going to be watching. Aussie are nearly as bad. I mean, what would you expect of White Ferns v Matildas? Black Ferns v Opals?

This was good though: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/15/nz_badminton_kerfuffle/

*eg Europe (of The Final Countdown fame) has just released another (9th!) album.

Just for you, Lizard:

http://www.sporcle.com/games/Sheldon/nz_sports_teams

I got 17/20. Mostly through plugging in combinations of 'black', 'fern' and some sort of equipment, playing surface or physical requirement specific to the sport in question.

[Lizard]

Just for you, Lizard:

http://www.sporcle.com/games/Sheldon/nz_sports_teams

I got 17/20. Mostly through plugging in combinations of 'black', 'fern' and some sort of equipment, playing surface or physical requirement specific to the sport in question.

20/20. Years of cringing at obscure parts of the sports section, plus random plugging as per your method got me there well inside the 10 minutes.

The women's league team had me stumped for a while. I imagine that no one makes fun of their team name to their faces though. I mean, would you...

http://www-static2.spulsecdn.net/pics/00/01/87/72/1877209_1_O.jpg

[canute]

I also feel compelled to point out the obvious irony of 'All Blacks' - the only decent nickname - being the only one not created by New Zealanders.

NZ, sort your sh*t out!

I recommend adopting the tried and tested Australian Naming Policy that came up with the likes of the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground, the Sydney Football Stadium, the Great Sandy Desert, the Nullabor Plain (hey - at least they used a fancy language) and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

However, they have also let themselves down recently in not following their instinct and as a result, forsaking the likes of 'The Australian Women's National Rugby Union Team', in favour of the NZ-style contrived nicknames referred to by you earlier.

[Lizard]

I also feel compelled to point out the obvious irony of 'All Blacks' - the only decent nickname - being the only one not created by New Zealanders.

NZ, sort your sh*t out!

I recommend adopting the tried and tested Australian Naming Policy that came up with the likes of the Western Australian Cricket Association Ground, the Sydney Football Stadium, the Great Sandy Desert, the Nullabor Plain (hey - at least they used a fancy language) and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

However, they have also let themselves down recently in not following their instinct and as a result, forsaking the likes of 'The Australian Women's National Rugby Union Team', in favour of the NZ-style contrived nicknames referred to by you earlier.

My favourite Australian naming was actually by the British parliament. They managed to be both achingly literal, yet internally inconsistent, with the "Western Australian Act" of 1829 founding Western Australia followed by the "South Australia Act" of 1834 doing ditto for South Australia. Even better, in 1863, the vast expanse of pointless, deadly desert north of SA right up to the coast was annexed to SA as "The Northern Territory of Southern Australia." That actually takes the cake as far as it will go.

[canute]

My favourite Australian naming was actually by the British parliament. They managed to be both achingly literal, yet internally inconsistent, with the "Western Australian Act" of 1829 founding Western Australia followed by the "South Australia Act" of 1834 doing ditto for South Australia. Even better, in 1863, the vast expanse of pointless, deadly desert north of SA right up to the coast was annexed to SA as "The Northern Territory of Southern Australia." That actually takes the cake as far as it will go.

How the hell do you know that sh*t?

[Lizard]

How the hell do you know that sh*t?

It's called "reading." To be honest, I had to Google the exact dates. (Did you know that the first colonies in SA didn't have prisons because they were planned as model societies. Then the escapees from the East turned up....)

[tigran]

I'm not saying France is copying the All Blacks. I'm saying that Adidas's marketing department is drawing n unnecessary connection between "Les Bleus" and "All Blacks" by using the phrase "All Bleus" to advertise their new jersey. I don't where they are using that advertising. (I would have thought that mixing up English and French wouldn't go down well in France.)

To be perfectly clear, I am not saying that France are trying to copy the All Blacks, or that they have "stolen" something from us. I'm saying that Adidas have made a poor choice of slogan. It would be like if NZ chose a green alternate strip and Adidas advertised it as "Springblacks" or if Wales' shirt sponsor had advertised their canary yellow alternate with "Walesabies" or something.

Personally, I preferred the traditional "Les Tricolores" with the white shorts.

What I meant by "not a french term" is that "All bleus" is not used in France, not even to advertise the shirt. I don't know wether Addidas are advertising or not this shirt using this term in anglo-saxons territories. If they do it's clearly a poor choice of slogan from a french point of view, and it has nothing to do with the french and it doesn't reach france.

In France it's les bleus or tricolors..

[canute]

It's called "reading."

I read for pleasure. That comes across as exceptionally academic for pleasure reading, but different strokes for different folks and all that...

[morepork]

Pleasure reading.

Strokes.

*snigger*

[Lizard]

What I meant by "not a french term" is that "All bleus" is not used in France, not even to advertise the shirt. I don't know wether Addidas are advertising or not this shirt using this term in anglo-saxons territories. If they do it's clearly a poor choice of slogan from a french point of view, and it has nothing to do with the french and it doesn't reach france.

In France it's les bleus or tricolors..

I agree entirely. It's a poor choice by Adidas.

I read for pleasure. That comes across as exceptionally academic for pleasure reading, but different strokes for different folks and all that...

I know that the basics of Australian Constitutional history is not exactly your Dan Brown page-turner but I'm interested in all sorts of things. The history of colonisation in this part of the world is relevant to the culture I live in. Also, it allows you to ask Australians to explain why West Australia got an "ern" but South Australia didn't.

[morepork]

That has been keeping me awake at night.

[Lizard]

That has been keeping me awake at night.

Here's another good one. How is it possible for Australia to not have even bothered going to have a proper look at a 175,000Km2 desert in the middle of the country until the 1930s, let alone survey and name it. And when they finally did name it, in a spectacularly un-Australian piece of non-literal naming, why did they name it after a washing machine manufacturer?

[morepork]

Here's another good one. How is it possible for Australia to not have even bothered going to have a proper look at a 175,000Km2 desert in the middle of the country until the 1930s, let alone survey and name it. And when they finally did name it, in a spectacularly un-Australian piece of non-literal naming, why did they name it after a washing machine manufacturer?

Hung out to dry?


Spectacular country, Australia.

[canute]

I know that the basics of Australian Constitutional history is not exactly your Dan Brown page-turner but I'm interested in all sorts of things. The history of colonisation in this part of the world is relevant to the culture I live in. Also, it allows you to ask Australians to explain why West Australia got an "ern" but South Australia didn't.

There is middle ground, you know.

Anyway, no biggie - I was just surprised at the depth of your knowledge.

BTW, have you ever read a Dan Brown book? I was given two copies of The Da Vinci Code as Christmas presents a few years ago by two members of my immediate family. I think it was after that I started requesting book tokens rather than books from people that couldn't think of anything to buy me.

[Lizard]

There is middle ground, you know.

Anyway, no biggie - I was just surprised at the depth of your knowledge.

BTW, have you ever read a Dan Brown book? I was given two copies of The Da Vinci Code as Christmas presents a few years ago by two members of my immediate family. I think it was after that I started requesting book tokens rather than books from people that couldn't think of anything to buy me.

When the Da Vinci Code was published, I assumed that (like McDonalds food) anything that popular must certainly be crap. However, given the number of times I was asked to justify my dismissive snorts, I figured I would better able to argue my position if I "knew my enemy," so to speak. So I forced myself to read it. I still simply cannot fathom how a book can be so bad without approaching the kitsch "so bad it's funny" genre*. I don't know if it was the the banal plot, the formulaic "cliffhangers", the absence of character development or the utter lack of style in the prose (in fact it wasn't prose, it was a screenplay - just dialogue and acting directions) but I hated it and have scrubbed much of the detail from my memory. I would rather read the label on a tin of own-brand baked beans over and over again for the length of time it would take to read another Dan Brown book than to actually have to read another Dan Brown book.


*In relation to which, everyone must read Ice Station by Matthew Reilly. It makes Da Vinci Code read like Nabakov, but has no pretensions to not being quite possibly the stupidest thing ever committed to print.

[canute]

When the Da Vinci Code was published, I assumed that (like McDonalds food) anything that popular must certainly be crap.

That is not an assumption. It is a fact of life. Going off on a tangent here, but have you read anything by Paulo Coelho? I think his most famous one is called 'The Alchemist'. I'd never heard of him (often a good sign), his books do not carry his name in huge gold letters on the cover (definitely a good sign) and a couple of people had told me about him on my backpacking travels, so I had made a mental note to give his books a go. Then I realised that there were almost more knock offs of his books being printed and sold in all the backpacking hotspots of the world than there were Lonely Planets. Anything that popular with the Gap Yahs is not only certain to be crap, but certain to be pretentious crap.

Recently, having not tested the theory for a while, I watched 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo' on a plane. The theory stands. It is as bad as a Dan Brown plot. Worse, perhaps, because it resorts to shock tactics to create controversy and subsequent publicity.

So I forced myself to read it.

I did too. Because my brother and mother had both given it to me and because it was an easier read than 'The Functionality of Main Group Elements' or whatever the f it was that I was being examined on a few weeks after Christmas that year.

I still simply cannot fathom how a book can be so bad without approaching the kitsch "so bad it's funny" genre*. I don't know if it was the the banal plot, the formulaic "cliffhangers", the absence of character development or the utter lack of style in the prose (in fact it wasn't prose, it was a screenplay - just dialogue and acting directions) but I hated it and have scrubbed much of the detail from my memory. I would rather read the label on a tin of own-brand baked beans over and over again for the length of time it would take to read another Dan Brown book than to actually have to read another Dan Brown book.

For my sins, I also read Angels and Daemons, but that was a year or two prior to the Da Vinci Code. I didn't even make the Dan Brown connection until I was about halfway through the latter and realised that it is almost exactly the same book, with the same protagonist.

In your analysis above, you missed out the worst part - the 'twists'. Formulaic 'cliffhangers' are bad enough, but it really did seem as if he wrote himself up a blind alley and then just used a 'twist' to teleport himself out.

[Tnébreux]

When the Da Vinci Code was published, I assumed that (like McDonalds food) anything that popular must certainly be crap. However, given the number of times I was asked to justify my dismissive snorts, I figured I would better able to argue my position if I "knew my enemy," so to speak. So I forced myself to read it. I still simply cannot fathom how a book can be so bad without approaching the kitsch "so bad it's funny" genre*. I don't know if it was the the banal plot, the formulaic "cliffhangers", the absence of character development or the utter lack of style in the prose (in fact it wasn't prose, it was a screenplay - just dialogue and acting directions) but I hated it and have scrubbed much of the detail from my memory. I would rather read the label on a tin of own-brand baked beans over and over again for the length of time it would take to read another Dan Brown book than to actually have to read another Dan Brown book.


*In relation to which, everyone must read Ice Station by Matthew Reilly. It makes Da Vinci Code read like Nabakov, but has no pretensions to not being quite possibly the stupidest thing ever committed to print.

So, it seems the book was as bad as the film! Glad I didn't check out myself. At least, I wasted less time.

[Lizard]

Adidas, as new kit suppliers of the French team, have unveiled their new get up.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/255210_249559428480303_1333756388_n.jpg

Thankfully (IMO) they've gone back to the traditional French blue, which, I must say, looks a whole lot better than the dark blue that Nike had them in.

There is something else about it as well. That advertising slogan and white collar. Is it just me, or does it remind anyone else of a certain other test team...

Erm...this is what the All "Blacks" wore tonight in two 40 minute training matches against Auckland and Counties:

http://www.allblacks.com/media/1020A36C-BFD6-599C-AEB15AA48300675D.jpg

[Tribeman]

Erm...this is what the All "Blacks" wore tonight in two 40 minute training matches against Auckland and Counties:

http://www.allblacks.com/media/1020A36C-BFD6-599C-AEB15AA48300675D.jpg

Weepu looks pretty spent

[tigran]

Erm...this is what the All "Blacks" wore tonight in two 40 minute training matches against Auckland and Counties:

http://www.allblacks.com/media/1020A36C-BFD6-599C-AEB15AA48300675D.jpg

yeah, I'm sure they've got something with les bleus, those NZers..

[Lizard]

At least you guys don't have a big, ugly logo on the front. A sad day for the All Blacks:

http://static.stuff.co.nz/1350009268/871/7808871.jpg

[Prysiau]

Adidas's current All Blacks deal is locked in until 2019 (unless they're being bought out of it). The rumour is that AIG is in talks to be a shirt sponsor, but I just don't see adidas allowing someone else to splat a big logo on what is essentially their jersey, given the money involved. Someone else (Wynne Gray?) has speculated that AIG will get on the jerseys for the "Maori All Blacks" and "All Blacks Sevens" (as they are now called) and Jedi has got his wires crossed. Jedi claims to have got his info from an AIG big-wig but I suspect an American insurance executive wouldn't know a Maori All Black from a real All Black from a hole in the ground. It might actually have been a nice double-play by the NZRU. The Sevens jersey already has a sponsor (Air New Zealand) and I'm not too fussed about the Maori one (traditionally plain black but Adidas added three sleeve stripes). I'm not even sure the Maori have played since 2010 although I think there is a NH tour planned.

Wow. How OT am I?

Jedi was right then?

Still don't get how this is any different from Steinlager.

I also don't see why some of you are overtly precious about 3 letters being added to the shirt. Jedi wrote what he thought was an emotive poetic stance against the globalisation of his sacred mystic shirt.

Come of it for ffwc's sake. Steinlager has sponsored it before, and you've still had a shirt sponsor's logo slapped on the crest for as long as the rest of us mortals.

We have a cartoon sailor on ours. Swallow it down you bunch of queers.