France v All Blacks: Why New Zealand are playing in white jerseys
New Zealand All Blacks Haka during the 2021 Autumn Nations Series match against France and insert of the 2024 alternate jersey.
The All Blacks agreed to wear their change white jerseys during the Autumn Nations Series clash with France at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Traditionally in rugby, the home team would wear their alternative jersey in the case of kit clashes, but this notably changed during the 2024 Six Nations and occurred again in the November internationals.
All Blacks in white v Les Bleus
South Africa donned their traditional green and gold and Scotland in their change kit with the two dark colours making it difficult for the players and particularly colour-blind fans.
One team has generally worn a change kit during that fixture and the same has been true for New Zealand and France with the All Blacks famously donning during their change kit in the 2007 defeat to France.
During the World Cup pool stages last year, hosts France were the ones who changed from their home kit, as is rugby traditional, in their 27-13 victory.
This year, New Zealand agreed to change their iconic black jersey for a white one according to L’Equipe allowing the hosts to wear their home kit.
Starting All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor, who missed the win over Ireland due to a concussion, was not too fazed about playing in the changed kit.
“It’s still an All Blacks jersey. It’s still got the silver fern on it and that’s all that matters for us,” he told reporters.
As mentioned above, Six Nations teams moved away from the home team changing their kit to accommodate their hosts during this year’s Championship.
Six Nations ditch decades-old rugby jersey tradition to ‘attract’ new fans
The move was reportedly an attempt to “attract more casual viewers”. The tradition stretched back over 75 years but has now reversed. This was after teams agreed to add the players’ surnames to the back of the jerseys too.
The new tradition notably didn’t apply during the July internationals this year with South Africa changing to their alternate kit for their two Tests against Ireland on home soil.
The teams
France: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Aldritt, 7 Alexandre Roumat, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Tevita Tatafu, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Charles Ollivon, 22 Nolann le Garrec, 23 Emilen Gailleton
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Damian McKenzie
Date: Saturday, November 16
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21:10 local (20:10 GMT, 09:10 NZDT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)