All. Black.

11:34 Oct 12, 2012 32

Don't think for a second that you can have an article like this and that will not say something about it.

…the All Blacks' shorts and jersey sleeves could be carrying the AIG logo as early as their tour to the United Kingdom, which starts with a test against Scotland in Edinburgh on November 11.

At time of writing the Herald's digipoll on the subject have 71% of people voting that they would be fine with another sponsor's logo on the All Black Uni. I voted that it would be "unsightly". Yes the jersey has had sponsors on it before (beyond the manufacturer's brand): Steinlager, New Zealand beer. Say what you will about the taste, it's a New Zealand brand. Would we have been happy with a VB logo?

AIG is an American insurance company. If anything says "we have decided to suck corporate-dick", this is it.

Currently we have the most logo-less jersey in professional rugby. It is not a "sign of the professional era" that teams have to be covered in garbage advertising. The NFL fights hard to keep its jerseys clean and they make a shit-tonne of money from sponsors (yes, yes bigger market etc etc).

The fact is we could continue to have the best – the fucking BEST – jersey in professional rugby or we could have something that looks like this. Think how ugly the South African jerseys look. Or this trash. Or worse.

Black is cool. We look cool wearing a simple black jersey. Fonzie never wore an insurance company's name on his jacket. C'mon New Zealand Rugby Union, be cool.

Cheers to Rich at sportreview.net.nz for the awesome concept art!

32 responses to this post

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Rich of Observationz, 12:26 Oct 12, 2012

it's a New Zealand brand
Of a Japanese multinational (Mitsubishi nowadays, so if you get smashed on Steinies and wrap your Evo round a heatpump outside unit, they've won three ways).

Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report
Terry Baucher, 12:37 Oct 12, 2012

A f**king Men to that. Your point about the NFL, in fact pretty much all the major US sports, is very valid. Yes it's a bigger market but it's also about brand protection. Which we hear a lot about when it's convenient.
Reality is the NZRU have been a price-taker in a market where they should be a price-maker. IMO they would be a perfect case study in how poorly run many NZ companies are. Pre 1995 the NPC was the best provincial competition in the world (no, don't even talk about the Currie Cup or the Top 14), but that was smashed in favour of the asceptic Super Rugby franchises. Needing to raise revenue the NZRU's response has always been that of the low-value commodity exporter: more. So more Super Rugby, more tests and always at the behest of the TV channels. The end result is a devalued NPC, a dysfunctional Super rugby system, unimaginative schedules and just more meh.
And as for giving head to AIG to borrow Hadyn's phrase? Words fail me. Why would one of the sporting world's most successful brands even go near one of the largest corporate train wrecks in history? Did anyone at NZRU even consider that or did they just see dollar signs?
Of course we'll get the PR speak equivalent of STFU and Harden Up in empty verbiage liberally sprinkled with "moving forward", "commercial reality" and "exciting opportunties". But we don't count any more, only sponsors and TV executives.

Devonport • Since Nov 2008 • 91 posts Report
Terry Baucher, 12:41 Oct 12, 2012

"Or worse" Ouch! But it's nowhere near as offensive as that England change kit.

Devonport • Since Nov 2008 • 91 posts Report
BenWilson, 13:20 Oct 12, 2012

or we could have something that looks like this. Think how ugly the South African jerseys look. Or this trash. Or worse.
and eventually

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report
Paul Campbell, 13:48 Oct 12, 2012

come on - it's a business - it's all about the money - if you want the past purity and glory of years gone buy you'll have to start a strictly amateur league.
Do it sooner rather than later, before some bright spark claims the game as their intellectual property

Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report
Terry Baucher, in reply to Paul Campbell, 13:58 Oct 12, 2012

Of course it's a business. A fucking badly run business IMHO which has opted to destroy its own brand. That's the whole point about this idiocy. If you run a business with a highly valued, internationally recognisable brand, what in fuck's name are you doing taking money from one of the most discredited brands in an internationally despised industry.

Devonport • Since Nov 2008 • 91 posts Report
Hadyn Green, 14:10 Oct 12, 2012

Fuck tradition, fuck sponsorship, fuck everything.
THIS. IS. UGLY.

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 2090 posts Report
Terry Baucher, 14:20 Oct 12, 2012

Well at least the French know the value of a clean jersey. Seriously, AIG? Does the NZRU not read the papers? How to devalue a brand at one stroke. Monumentally incompetent.

Devonport • Since Nov 2008 • 91 posts Report
Steve Barnes, 14:33 Oct 12, 2012

Another kick in the crotch for the people of Christchurch, first the dropping of the Canterbury Clothing Company brand now selling out to an insurance company that not only was a major mover in the global financial crisis but an underwriter for the industry that caused more damage than the earthquakes.
Pah, thank you greed heads.
"This is a great day for New Zealand rugby," said NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew. "This is an exciting new partnership that will further secure the future of rugby at all levels in this country and pave the way for our game to reach new fans around the world."
so says the NZRU's Steve Tew
Perhaps they would have been better of getting sponsorship from TUI Beer.

Peria • Since Dec 2006 • 5521 posts Report
Terry Baucher, 14:42 Oct 12, 2012

Thanks Steve, I wondered about that myself. I really despair about NZ management at times. I see the corporate claptrap on the NZRU website melted down my "Bullshit BIngo" detector inside the first few paragraphs.

Devonport • Since Nov 2008 • 91 posts Report
Gareth Ward, in reply to Hadyn Green, 14:43 Oct 12, 2012

THIS. IS. UGLY.
Bloody hell...

Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report
Terry Baucher, 14:49 Oct 12, 2012

Well OK once we've vented our anger what are we going to do about this? I'm all for letting the NZRU know I'm not impressed but actions are louder than words. Cancel our skysports subscriptions? Ask my local club to put up a motion of no confidence? Suggestions?

Devonport • Since Nov 2008 • 91 posts Report
Daniel Wilton, 15:09 Oct 12, 2012

Oh well, the NZRFU screwed the NPC chasing higher revenues. Seriously who wants to watch rugby seven days a week. I really enjoy seeing a team tired from the game they played 3 days ago (that I didn't watch because it was a Tuesday) getting huimped by an equally unimpressive team.
Then there is the hypocracy of the fans that will eat this shit up with a spoon but begrudge a player like Sonny Billl Williams taking 1 year contracts.
Super rugby has ruined the provincial game and this move with IAG to ruin the brand
Yes the ALL BLACKS are a tradition and a brand that why quite often when you rock up to someone in an AB's jersey overseas they more often than not be a foriegner, and this is awesome.
The jersey is currently the only sports team outfit that you can get away with not feeling too informal at a restaurant.
Dear NZRFU (To quote Jack Nicholson) "all you succeeded in doing today was weaken a country" 's national game

Wellington • Since Jan 2009 • 54 posts Report
Daniel Wilton, 15:10 Oct 12, 2012

to be fair AIG can't be too happy with the fack that the lettering looks like a Spotlight iron on Job

Wellington • Since Jan 2009 • 54 posts Report
Pete Sime, 15:12 Oct 12, 2012

I wonder what the likes of Meads, Shelford, Jones and all the other great ex ABs think of this.

Dunedin • Since Apr 2008 • 171 posts Report
Daniel Wilton, 15:16 Oct 12, 2012

I wonder what the likes of Meads, Shelford, Jones and all the other great ex ABs think of this.
probably something old and masogynistic
The problem is too many ex players and failed Dairy Board members in the mix

Wellington • Since Jan 2009 • 54 posts Report
Geoff Lealand, 15:30 Oct 12, 2012

What might AIG stand for? Another Insulting Grab? Another Instance of Greed? Arseholes In Gear?

Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report
Paul Campbell, 15:53 Oct 12, 2012

"Am I Gay?" - it will keep the tabloids guessing I guess- more fodder for the telivisio-industrial-complex

Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report
Angus Robertson, in reply to Geoff Lealand, 16:02 Oct 12, 2012

What might AIG stand for?
The US Federal Reserve Bank.

Auckland • Since May 2007 • 984 posts Report
Greg Dawson, in reply to Daniel Wilton, 16:02 Oct 12, 2012

careful - IAG isn't AIG, even if both were MIA in CHC and OTT in CDOs

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 294 posts Report
Dave Waugh, 17:24 Oct 12, 2012

Final nail in the "national representative team" coffin.
Mind you I'm not really all that upset, gave up on watching the game years ago as it ceased to have any personal meaning or relevance to me as a person or as a Kiwi.
It's no longer a sport to me just a mindless money driven entertainment product same as any other tv show.
Admittedly it's not as bad as the Olympics which is now little more than a marketing vehicle for advertising and brand promotion.

Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 98 posts Report
Yamis, in reply to Dave Waugh, 20:19 Oct 12, 2012

Admittedly it's not as bad as the Olympics which is now little more than a marketing vehicle for advertising and brand promotion.
Maybe through your eyes.
I watched a bunch of awesome athletes performing in a range of sports and didn't pay any attention to any sponsorship or advertising. I straight up can't think of a single Olympic partner or whatever they call them. I'd have to google it.

Since Nov 2006 • 903 posts Report
DexterX, 20:29 Oct 12, 2012

The All Blacks on the side of - "America Is God"
Sorting out the claims in Christchurch can wait - there are bigger fish to fry.
Five Phucking Years - WTF.

Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 1224 posts Report
Kyle Matthews, 09:22 Oct 14, 2012

Another kick in the crotch for the people of Christchurch, first the dropping of the Canterbury Clothing Company brand
Given that Canterbury clothing is no longer based in Christchurch that complaint doesn't seem particularly valid. Canterbury abandoned Chch first?

Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report
Kyle Matthews, 09:25 Oct 14, 2012

Interesting business decision. The NZRU is probably looking for more money to pay their top players and secure their long term future. They probably put a lot more value in their brand in terms of ability to retain McCaw, Carter etc in NZ and in black than in the clean jersey. An eight figure sum is a lot of money to do that with.
I do wonder if they've lost value out of the Adidas sponsorship with it no longer being the only sponsor on the jersey though. Ugly as hell logo though.

Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report