A very black day for All Blacks fans
Roar Guru By Hayley Byrnes, 17 Oct 2012 Hayley Byrnes is a Roar Guru
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New Zealand's Piri Weepu (centre) stands as he leads the Haka before the start of the match. AAP Photos
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Crowded House once penned the anthem “Don’t dream it’s over”. It’s a sweet ballad that gave hope to all believers with the pinnacle line that reads, “Don’t let them win.”
The time has come to wake up All Black fans.
Several weeks ago I touched on a startling rumour that was running rampant through the rugby union community; that our proudest geographical asset, the historical All Black jersey, which has been just that way for more than 100 years, was selling out to a foreign sponsor, thus resulting in an eye sore of a logo being emblazoned across the jersey.
“Na she’ll be right bro, jersey’s been all black for years,” was the general statement heard from across the ditch, hence we went on with life with a somewhat comforting feeling that nothing will ever take away the pride of what that precious black jersey means to all New Zealanders.
Nek Minnit!
Money does in fact talk with the NZRU announcing that new sponsor AIG will have prime positioning on the front of the jersey for the next five years, starting from this Saturday’s meaningless Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane.
No longer will the national anthem be sung hand over heart with just the NZ emblem and manufacturer’s logo on their chests. Now right bang in the middle will be AIG, which has absolutely nothing to do with New Zealand at all.
Sacrilege in its purest form.
Despite original reports that Adidas was against AIG appearing in such a dominant position, the deal has been done, breaking tradition and resulting in an iconic team looking cheap, which is ironic as the deal is set to be worth millions of dollars (astonishingly the actual figure that the NZRU are set to make has still not been disclosed).
See what always set the All Blacks apart from every other sporting team worldwide (apart from the obvious ability to dominate union) was the recognition by the simple fact it was a commercial-free jersey, in return enhancing its appeal to everyone from rapper Snoop Dog to despo housewife Eva Longoria.
Basically it was farking cool.
To be fair, we did have a good run though, the famous black attire has largely been commercial free, apart from the kit supplier Adidas logo, which also caused a minor upset with fans.
And who can forget the early 1990s when it had a wee romance with local brewery Steinlager being positioned ever so subtly. Sales did in fact benefit the booze company and seeing as it was an era where the All Blacks were playing ridiculous footy, no one cared too much. Probably because we were all drunk on Steinlager.
This, though, is an entirely different kettle of fish (fush). This AIG insurance team is an American company, not even from a round here cuz!
The fans are angry too. Any Facebook status or tweet will tell you that.
“It is part of our kiwi heritage, and by placing a company name on the front I think is completely disrespectful, especially considering it is a foreign company,” wrote Nico de Jong on the All Black official Facebook page.
“A hundred year history sold out for some cheap tacky advertising all in the name of greed,” Rene Gruss posted.
I struggled to find any positive comments.
I don’t care that it will help with the cost of the NZRU’s pricey outgoings, and I’m quite certain we have done a pretty damn good job the past 100 years remaining number one in the world time and time again.
Nonetheless this Saturday we will witness a new era. The one where we have to look at commercialism on our nations proudest product.
If Australia do get up this Saturday we now know who to blame. Or at least now can use this as a great jinx affiliated excuse.
Wallabies winning… I’m quite funny, aren’t I?
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October 17th 2012 @ 3:22am
Johnno said | October 17th 2012 @ 3:22am | Report comment
What a backward old fashion article and all that is wrong with many rugby fans out there. Too many traditionalists put a bad indicator on rugby. Money is everything, and should always be no 1. If you don’t think with money being everything then don’t bother .
As a paragrah in this article.
“I don’t care that it will help with the cost of the NZRU’s pricey outgoings, and I’m quite certain we have done a pretty damn good job the past 100 years remaining number one in the world time and time again”.
Yah yah yah. Bit reality is rugby has changed , . It is 2012 yes All Blacks won last year. But now rugby is booming world wide and some nations who have far more money than New Zealand eg in Europe, USA, New Zealand simply doesn’t the the money to compete. And needs money like this . I
My only annoyance was AIG didn’t go further made the AIG logo even bigger, if i owned AIG like on the rest of the NZ rugby teams where the logo is bigger. I would of demanded a logo on the back and on the shorts,socks, and on the shoulder arms. Money is everything and wining and being no 1 long term. Tradionislists, some prefer to go down the world rankings, and lose players overseas to clubs overseas than have more money in the bank,. And say silly stuff like money is not everything, and tradition should be respected and honoured, what a load of nonsense .
October 17th 2012 @ 6:49am
Andrew C (waikato) said | October 17th 2012 @ 6:49am | Report comment
Oh that’s right Johnno, you are a bean counter/cum/management consultant, huh, so why should we mere mortals open up our gobs in your sacred presence. Why not go further on your money-induced rampage and ask the Colombian Drug Cartel to sponsor the All Blacks, so as a sideline they can learn to be mules !!
…………… AIG is not a company I would’ve thought was the type of Company to enhance the All Blacks BRAND – a massive bailout from wunderkind Obama Government because they got themselves in the deep poo? So, why then do we need to accept their IOUs?……………. incidentally, that AIG logo was on the NZ Sevens team’s black jerseys in the weekend @ the Gold Coast and looked sh#t to me. But of course Tew and his bean counters are undoubtably happy @ nZRFU headquarters (duh !!)
October 17th 2012 @ 8:02pm
Johnno said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:02pm | Report comment
Andrew C (Waikato), take the money any way you can as long as it is legal. The way your talking makes it clear you would rather be ranked no2 in the future or no 10 and have a nice looking jersey, than a “s**te looking jersey full of sponsors.
Well I will enjoy the day when the QANTAS wallabies draped in big logos starts beating the sponsorless ALL Blacks. Addidas on the side is not enough. You were probably against the addiddas sponsorship initially on the jersey as well as the steinlager sponsorship on the jersey. Under your style ulitmaltly tradition is more important than being no 1 according to fans like you. Well enjoy your tradition world, and I will enjoy being no 1 and globally competitive any day of the week over tradition .
October 17th 2012 @ 8:14am
AussieKiwi said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:14am | Report comment
Wow. Got any children Johnno? I can get you a very good price for them.
October 17th 2012 @ 8:41am
Nobody said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:41am | Report comment
How much were you paid to write that Johnno?
October 17th 2012 @ 11:03am
all7days said | October 17th 2012 @ 11:03am | Report comment
I fell sorry for you Johnno with these silly replies you’re getting.
I agree with you. The money was needed to keep the AB’s dominance.
These would’ve been the same people moaning when the NZRU almost had to cut teams from the domestic comp.
All they can come up with is stupid straw-man arguments.
Cartels?!
Buying children?!
Dramatic much
October 17th 2012 @ 8:08pm
Johnno said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:08pm | Report comment
Exaclt all7days, some people act like money grows on trees. And would prefer NZRU cut teams, heck they would prefer rugby go back to the amateur era. And some of these tradionislists would prefer the AB’S go down the world rankings, than put sposnors on there sacred jersey. Far out talk about living in fairy land and a lack of priiorities. I don’t thin these people have ever been in business or ran a business. Clearly they don’t understand the value of money , or it is not easy to make. And when someone offers you a suspected $20 million bucks these people would rather turn it down to have a sacred and traditional jersey all7days.Wow I am glad i don’t live in there reality, i would never invest in there business i’d go bankrupt in 5 minutes if i listened and followed the traditonislists business models.
October 17th 2012 @ 11:11pm
stillmatic1 said | October 17th 2012 @ 11:11pm | Report comment
i would venture to say that you dont really know too much about how a business makes money, johnno. certainly not enough to deride the “traditionalists”.
the world didnt suddenly revolve around money since the advent of professionalism in rugby!! and it is most likely that the so called traditionalists amongst us have created the pumped up economies (and the flow of easy money)we have in the first place.
johnno, you forget the biggest cavet of any deal, and that is value. money by itself is useless, it is the value we ascribe to the investment. in the scheme of things 20mil is nothing, but is adequate in regards to the value it would have in a small market. other sponsors coming in with higher figures further down the track would not get value for their investment. hence, money is not everything.
johnno, it would also pay to know that the people who attain great riches and keep it are very traditional in their approach, so much so that they get derided by the flashy young guns of today. if the only way the Abs or Wbs can run their businesses is by hoping for sponsorship from floundering companies, then how is this sustainable? both AIG and QANTAS aren’t exactly running great businesses currently, are they? they do have a brand name though, but this will carry them only so far.
point is, the best people to use any money effectively, and with an eye to the future, tend to be traditional and “boring” and shouldnt be so readily dismissed. the logo deal is a nice little shot in the arm, but not the panacea you claim either. what happened to all that money from the 03 WC again? easy come, easy go.
October 17th 2012 @ 3:47pm
Wal said | October 17th 2012 @ 3:47pm | Report comment
How many of you guys would accept your provincial team being cut from the NPC or losing regularly to teams we currently have the wood on. The reality is New Zealand is a small country and cannot generate enough income to sustain a team with such global demand like the AB’s. I personally hate the logo, but would hate it alot more is all of NZ’s talent we playing overseas and we kept losing the the Wallabies
October 19th 2012 @ 6:16pm
Merino said | October 19th 2012 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
Theres still heaps of room for Mcdonalds or KFC on the Jersey.Slam something on the back of the jersey as well,Dont worry about the numbers we already know what position they play plus it will confuse the opposition.
October 17th 2012 @ 7:13am
Riccardo said | October 17th 2012 @ 7:13am | Report comment
I’m torn Haylz.
As a long time supporter of the Darkness I’m dead set against the fouling of our beloved talisman. Particularly by a company that represents pure greed and has caused so much damage internationally.
However, working in Finance, I’m also realsitic enough to recognise the opportunities this will provide for the game in general in NZ. As Richard Loe opined – invest some of this in the grass roots development and sustain our game. It’s no secret that the NZRFU has financial challenges and this investment will go some way to easing that.
The fact that senior players have been consulted and at least been able to remove the border and slightly reduce the impact of the moniker goes a little way to making this intrusion palatable, I guess. God, I hope we don’t hear “the AIG All Blacks…” every time they’re in public.
As to the Wallabies winning on Saturday? Not funny Haylz, and not this Saturday…
October 17th 2012 @ 7:37am
Jerry said | October 17th 2012 @ 7:37am | Report comment
Man, people are seriously precious about all this.
It’s no different to the Adidas logo – both are sponsors. They’ve had a sponsors logo on the jersey in the past anyway.
October 17th 2012 @ 7:55am
Riccardo said | October 17th 2012 @ 7:55am | Report comment
Too simplistic Jerry and it’s not often I disagree with you.
It’s where it’s emblazoned that is the difference IMO. The Steinlager sponsorship to which you refer is not the same.
I’m resigned to the commercial reality of it all but the final bastion has been breached and some time to be a little emotional & precious is actually appropriate.
October 17th 2012 @ 8:15am
Jerry said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:15am | Report comment
I’ll admit I did simplify the argument, but then so many of the arguments the other way have been hugely over the top.
All things being equal, I’d prefer it not be there, just as I’d prefer they played in loose cotton jerseys with no music, no face painting and a proper curtain raiser. But I don’t think this will bother me for more than about 5 minutes and it simply doesn’t warrant the reaction and column inches.
There is, incidentally, one international rugby jersey that’s never had a sponsor (other than the kit manufacturer) on it, and still doesn’t. The French one – but it’s been bastardised repeatedly by changing the colour and pattern. I’d prefer the AB’s wear a black jersey with a logo on it than some over designed crap like the French Nike kit (now abandoned, thankfully).
October 17th 2012 @ 8:36am
Brett McKay said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:36am | Report comment
Riccardo, it could’ve been much worse – the AIG logo is only a third of the size of what’s allowed on the front of international jerseys…
October 17th 2012 @ 9:11am
Riccardo said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:11am | Report comment
That’s fair Brett.
The commercial reality of it is just something we will have to swallow.
As Jerry has said, 5 minutes after kickoff we won’t even notice.
As I have said though, the bastion has been breached and one can only hope that the future sees us managing future investments just as carefully….
October 17th 2012 @ 9:58am
garth said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:58am | Report comment
The Steinlager sponsorship IS the same because it breaches that “final bastion” some decades ago. The only reason the All Blacks had a sponsor free jersey since then, was because the deal with Adidas provided enough revenue. Now it doesn’t, hence AIG. My only real beef is that it is AIG, a group that had to be bailed out big time with US taxpayer money a few years back. I would rather see the logo on the sleeve, not the chest, and demand that the team NOT be called the “AIG” All Blacks. Otherwise, good on them for securing funding for all New Zealand Rugby.
October 17th 2012 @ 11:15am
Sage said | October 17th 2012 @ 11:15am | Report comment
Agreed yet again Jerry. I’ll fess up here and admit I’ve had you wrong from a long time ago. Even when disagreeing, I enjoy your posts and your particular sense of humour. To Haylz, I can really understand how important it is to Kiwi’s. The whole AB’s thing is something to be justifiably proud of and a relatively clean jersey against the trends adds to that I can understand. But please don’t get too precious about it. Can’t you see anything a bit ironic in this “No longer will the national anthem be sung hand over heart with just the NZ emblem and manufacturer’s logo on their chests” ?
October 17th 2012 @ 8:56pm
Jerry said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:56pm | Report comment
Especially considering that German/multinational manufacturer replaced (by offering more money than) an NZ jersey manufacturer that has been involved in rugby for years.
October 17th 2012 @ 8:08am
mania said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:08am | Report comment
HayloHaylz
i totally agree but i cant come up with a better argument than your article. i try to come up with valid well argued logical bullet points but i miserably fail. this is my heart speaking and the logo positioning is wrong. i understand that we need the money to counter the AFL and NRL billions that are being thrown around. i understand that sooner or later a sponsior was gonna offer too much $ that NZRFU just couldnt refuse. but accept it? no cant do.
i hope we fans kick up enough of a fuss and refuse to buy any jerseys until the logo migrates to the sleeve. middle of the chest is just too prominent and supercedes the fern.
ps – johnno – being a fan isnt about being logical and level headed. being a fan is about passion.
(Moderator comment: Offensive parts of this comment have been removed. Please report inappropriate comments. Thanks, Roar Mods.)
October 17th 2012 @ 8:56am
HayloHaylz said | October 17th 2012 @ 8:56am | Report comment
The fact that you had to stoop to me being an emotional woman had me stop reading past that sentence. It’s called passion. You sound as though you could do with some. Love to chat more but I have all this ironing and baking to do.
October 17th 2012 @ 9:03am
Tristan Rayner said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:03am | Report comment
Wow. This is particularly unacceptable. Awful, Mania, jut awful. You’ve earned yourself a stint on moderation.
The Roar is a place for good clean and rigorous sporting debate. Please be respectful of that.
Thanks, Tristan (Editor).
October 17th 2012 @ 9:26am
AussieKiwi said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:26am | Report comment
I read the comments, and took them to be humorous.
October 17th 2012 @ 9:44am
Nobody said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:44am | Report comment
I read the comments and wondered what he was smoking. It probably was a really poor attempt at humour.
October 17th 2012 @ 9:55am
Riccardo said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:55am | Report comment
I’m not sure Mania meant it that way Tristan (sorry Haylz).
I’m pretty sure it was poorly formed humour; Mania is more circumspect with his posting than some others on this site.
He even posted a reply asking Haylz to read the rest of his post as it was not his intention to offend.
This may be a little harsh; perhaps an apology would suffice…
October 17th 2012 @ 9:19am
Tui said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:19am | Report comment
I am hugely disappointed like most Kiwis as its OUR jersey but understand we need the deal.
October 18th 2012 @ 6:37am
moaman said | October 18th 2012 @ 6:37am | Report comment
Tui’s comment sums it up nicely for me,too.
October 17th 2012 @ 9:33am
Eddie said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:33am | Report comment
The solution is simple. Charge more for the already overpriced jerseys or slug a ‘Keep The Black Jersey Black’ tax to the tune of several million dollars to the NZ taxpayer. Or both!
How else are we gonna keep the All Blacks number one without surplus cash to run the machine from top to bottom? As for sell out out accusations, who are Adidas? Logos annoying for sure, but who can tell me where are the NZRU going to get cash from?
October 17th 2012 @ 9:49am
George said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:49am | Report comment
Yes, Yes, in a fairy tale world isn’t it lovely that the AB jersey is free of advertising! Err, um, except for that big Adidas logo on the left chest, oh, & the rectangle RED steinlager logo that use to be emblazoned across the right chest. Oh, yeah, those.
For those disagreeing with the decision, please contact the NZRU & inform them where you will find the lost operating cash shortfall of $35m in past 6yrs.
2006; operating loss – $4.8m
2007; operating loss – $1.7m
2008; operating profit $366K
2009; operating loss – $15.9m
2010; operating loss – $9.4m
2011; operating loss – $3.1m
There you go folks, the black n white figures that show why this was a necessity, not some ‘cash grab’ by the NZRU. How can you continue running a business which has an operating LOSS of $35m since 2006, in an environment where the cost base keeps rising.
The health of the game in NZ is not a bed of fluffy ducks sitting within that ideal world of no jersey sponsorship – remember the Otago Rugby Union (126years old) was about to collapse last year, until bailed out @ last minute by the NZRU et al.
The reality is, NZ doesn’t have the 80K seat stadiums that Eng/Wales/France etc have, that are sold out each time they play! They struggle to sell 30-odd thousand at the Cake Tin FFS.
As far as I’m concerned, if 3 measly letters, that have been significantly reduced in size & boldness, mean that we remain competitive vs o/s clubs with our contracts & we keep the best talent in NZ & remain @ the top of the game, then big deal. If you still think it’s a big deal, find that $35m in losses & give the NZRU a heads up as to why they’re such idiots for not thinking of that first!
It’s the legends like Richie, Dan & Keiran who consistently play so well in the jersey & win trophies, that makes the jersey so special, not 3 little letters on it!
October 17th 2012 @ 10:20am
atlas said | October 17th 2012 @ 10:20am | Report comment
^ thankyou
Many of the unions in NZ are carrying huge debts, the Wellington ‘caketin’ is still not paid for after about 15 years use, then there is the earthquake-destroyed Jade Stadium and I’d guess ten years before they even make a start on a proper replacement given the financial situation – compounded by lost revenue over the forthcoming years. Massive debt for the new Dunedin Stadium which I believe should never have been built, cost 224 million.
I will support the All Blacks whatever they wear, though have a preference for mainly black. Who is the French Top 14 side who play in pink? That could take some getting used to, but I see they still have their fans.
For people who claim ‘sellout’ – have a look at some other sports and sportspeople. Usain Bolt was in NZ the week this jersey deal was announced, promoting Gatorade – he ‘earns’ in excess of US$20 million a year from endorsements – US$9 million of that in a single deal with Puma – I think that amount alone exceeds whatever AIG are paying?
This weekend I’ll be at Sepang cheering Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi and co. at Moto GP – CS on his Repsol Honda with every spare inch of his leathers emblazoned with big-paying sponsors. What a sell-out! Quick – back to the old days where he buys his own race bake and does his repairs as well . . .
October 17th 2012 @ 9:20pm
Sylvester said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:20pm | Report comment
“then there is the earthquake-destroyed Jade Stadium and I’d guess ten years before they even make a start on a proper replacement given the financial situation – compounded by lost revenue over the forthcoming years. Massive debt for the new Dunedin Stadium which I believe should never have been built, cost 224 million.”
None of which was directly funded by the NZRFU of course.
October 18th 2012 @ 10:35am
atlas said | October 18th 2012 @ 10:35am | Report comment
are you saying the lost revenue from the non-Jade Stadium is insignificant?
also the contractual commitment NZRU has to play more tests at the Dunedin Stadium and re-vamped Eden Park (effectively at Wellington’s expense) to assist covering the debt, is insignificant?
NZRU are committed to those financial obligations.
October 18th 2012 @ 9:26pm
Sylvester said | October 18th 2012 @ 9:26pm | Report comment
The loss of revenue will be felt, but I’m more challenging the inference that provincial unions or NZRFU are somehow responsible for the profitability or otherwise of the country’s stadia.
October 17th 2012 @ 6:58pm
GWS said | October 17th 2012 @ 6:58pm | Report comment
R u fair dinkum they struggle to sell 30000
October 17th 2012 @ 9:59pm
allblackfan said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:59pm | Report comment
not for an all black test against a tier 1 nation but then wellington has its own idea about hospitable weather!!
October 17th 2012 @ 9:03pm
MAJB said | October 17th 2012 @ 9:03pm | Report comment
I never realised how perilous the funding for NZ Rugby is? This may explain some of the some of the problems my cousin’s son is having with the financial position of his team in the Wellington Comp. I just thought the financial problem were local. If the NZRU has been running at such a loss then the need for sponsorship is imperative. Interestingly the best Rugby nation is running on credit and the England and France Rugby have overflowing coffers. Money doesn’t necessarily buy success. If NZRU doesn’t obtain decent funding the results could be disastrous for world Rugby.
October 17th 2012 @ 10:08am
Eddie said | October 17th 2012 @ 10:08am | Report comment
Thank you George!
October 17th 2012 @ 10:32am
clipper said | October 17th 2012 @ 10:32am | Report comment
HayloHaylz – I wouldn’t say the this weekends test is meaningless – the All Blacks are going after the record (although you could argue that the record is meaningless, as Lithuania holds it)
As George has illustrated above, this is just commercial reality as they just can’t keep having losses year after year. It’s just a pity the sponsor is AIG and not something a bit cooler or associated with sport.
All the remaining ‘clean’ All Black jerseys will be flying out the door over the next few weeks and I can’t see a huge demand for the new ones.
October 17th 2012 @ 2:30pm
Eddie said | October 17th 2012 @ 2:30pm | Report comment
I reckon you will over time Clipper. If-well, when -they keep ticking over the wins, people will keep the faith.
Look at Premier League etc.