All Blacks to don White Jerseys for France clash

The All Blacks will step onto the pitch in their white away jerseys when they face France at Stade de France on Sunday morning.

The decision to switch from their traditional black kit was made to avoid a clash with the host nation’s navy blue.

This marks the first meeting between the two rugby powerhouses since France’s victory over the All Blacks in the opening match of the Rugby World Cup last year. On that occasion, despite being the home team, France donned white jerseys, leaving the All Blacks to play in an alternate grey kit.

The All Blacks have a history of wearing alternate jerseys against France in pivotal matches. In 2021, they sported grey jerseys in another clash with Les Bleus.

Perhaps most memorably, the All Blacks wore an alternate kit during the controversial 2007 World Cup quarterfinal loss to France, also at Stade de France.

For Sunday’s game, the All Blacks’ 2024 away jersey features a design that reverses their home kit. It is predominantly white with a black collar, retaining the iconic silver fern emblem that symbolizes their heritage and pride.

Hooker Codie Taylor emphasized that the jersey color makes no difference to the team’s mindset or performance. “It’s still an All Blacks jersey. It’s still got the silver fern on it and that’s all that matters for us,” Taylor stated confidently.