All Blacks break with tradition
12 Oct 2012
The All Blacks jersey will have the three letters of new sponsor AIG on the front for the next five years, starting from next week’s Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane.
The sponsorship deal with the US-based insurance company – which also takes in the NZ Maori, NZ Sevens, Black Ferns, Women’s Sevens and U20 national teams – was confirmed at a press conference in Auckland.
‘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. Today’s announcement is a game changer for New Zealand rugby.’
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said the new sponsorship arrangement had his support.
‘It’s really flattering that a company this big has chosen New Zealand rugby to be its cornerstone sponsorship. It shows incredible respect for our traditions, heritage and record of success across all our teams. This will really help make our game stronger right from the community game to the All Blacks so this is great news for rugby.’
The AIG logo on the All Blacks jersey is just under one third the size of the maximum allowed under IRB guidelines.
‘This is not a decision we have taken lightly. Like all New Zealanders we greatly respect the rich and proud heritage of the black jersey, which is why NZRU consulted with senior players and others as we carefully weighed up this latest move,’ Tew said.
573 Comments
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12 Oct 2012, 14:03 pm
@Dawn-298: What? Me? I did!
See 276.
12 Oct 2012, 14:03 pm
Just another boring Friday afternoon (evening) for some.
12 Oct 2012, 14:04 pm
@Dawn-296:
You are just lucky they didn’t use Retalick in the pic’s.
(he ain’t good looking………………………but he sure can play).
12 Oct 2012, 14:04 pm
@cane-303:
I thank all the stars and moons above they didn’t use Rettalick
12 Oct 2012, 14:05 pm
@Nikita-302:
Not with you around Nicky.
12 Oct 2012, 14:06 pm
@katman-268: R100 baba, Chreeesmas eez coming!
@Atreides-272: Good one, I was thinking exactly the same thing earlier! I often wonder where he gets that plonk from that he drinks.
12 Oct 2012, 14:07 pm
@gonzo-292: ABSA, to this day (IMHO) hold the secrets of the Apartheid govt’s secret cash stashes.(Or rather, Volkskas, United Bank etc from back in the day….)
Sponsors are dirty full stop. Here in SA and beyond.
12 Oct 2012, 14:07 pm
@cane-303:
Obviously Rettalick is not from the Hutts
12 Oct 2012, 14:08 pm
@cane-305:
You fickle slimy underside of a maggot
12 Oct 2012, 14:10 pm
@Dawn-287: Ah Dawn, managed to have a good look of that clip of Hurricanes; some nice fends etc but I didn’t see any being performed against us; we’re way too smart for him!!!
12 Oct 2012, 14:11 pm
@cane-305:
I am always around Cane.
@Dawn-309:
Now now
12 Oct 2012, 14:11 pm
Some All Black supporters die, and as expected they go to hell. The devil notices that they’re quite happy, and asks them why.
They explain “After the lousy weather in New Zealand, we actually enjoy the warmth.”
The devil thinks “I’ll fix them” and turns up the heat. He finds the Kiwis with their shirts off enjoying a chop on the barbie and having a frostie.
“Whenever the weather gets this good in New Zealand, we can’t waste it, so this is what we do”
The devil decides to wipe the smile off their faces by turning the heat down to freezing. He returns to the Kiwis to find them celebrating.
“What now?” he asks.
One explains “Well when hell freezes over, we’re sure to win the Rugby World Cup for a third time”
12 Oct 2012, 14:11 pm
@Nikita-302: So watcha gonna do about it?
12 Oct 2012, 14:12 pm
this thread is fcken classic..
so many sour saffas, no wonder your countries in the state its in..
this much hatred because of a sponsor really shows what a sick society you have..
is it jealousy? because seriously, who’d want to sponsor the bokkes?
theyre rubbish, K@k in the local vernacular..
perhaps if your rugby team could actually PLAY rugby, then youd have people willing to put money into it..
run back to your boring bash and bash CC comp, at least then a Saffa team will actually win the prize…
archaic rugby by meathead neanderthals with supporters as dumb as a plank…
12 Oct 2012, 14:12 pm
@Nikita-311:
Now now what.
12 Oct 2012, 14:12 pm
@Atreides-313:
Nothing really. Do you have any suggestions?
12 Oct 2012, 14:13 pm
@poppa69-314:
Finally
The kiwi circle is complete
12 Oct 2012, 14:14 pm
@Dawn-315:
Now now drinking time. It is F R I D A Y. Bar opens soon.
12 Oct 2012, 14:15 pm
@suffer_guy-312:
Nice.
12 Oct 2012, 14:15 pm
@poppa69-314:
Do you have a dog?
12 Oct 2012, 14:15 pm
@Nikita-318:
Nice swerve
Dont you even think about “now nowing” me
12 Oct 2012, 14:16 pm
@Dawn-317: read the whole thread Dawn, its pathetic..
the big green eyed monster ( and no, not your rugby team) rears its ugly head all over this thread..
the whole Saffa supremacy thing is old hat and so far from the truth its not funny.. but its this archaic thinking that keeps you guys in the minor placings..
couldnt happen to a nicer bunch really..
12 Oct 2012, 14:17 pm
poppa dude …. SARU has more money than AIG!
12 Oct 2012, 14:17 pm
@Dawn-321:
Swerve comes after a few. Now now Dawn.
12 Oct 2012, 14:17 pm
@poppa69-322: Oh look who’s here, captainhappymotherfucker. Yayness.
12 Oct 2012, 14:18 pm
I honestly don’t understand why this news is worthy of an article and 323 comments.
The All Blacks got a new jersey.
SO WHAT???
12 Oct 2012, 14:18 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-307: Any company large enough to sponsor an international sports team has some dark past. Even if it was Unicef we’d be getting grief.
And for what it’s worth, half of the forums in NZ are ablaze with angry Kiwis wishing we could be sponsored by some big NZ company instead like Steinlager (although no one noticed they are owned by the Japanese)
12 Oct 2012, 14:18 pm
@suffer_guy-312:
A Kiwi, south african and ozzie die and all go to hell.
The devil get the Kiwi and Ozzie and gives them a hell of a punishing meanwhile the South African has a beautiful Irish girl and can do what he likes with her.
The Kiwi and Ozzie complain, asking the Devil whats going on.
Devil tells then not to worry that he is punishing the Irish girl.
12 Oct 2012, 14:18 pm
@Nikita-316: I do but not in polite company
12 Oct 2012, 14:18 pm
@poppa69-322:
I did read it
We have been patiently waiting for you
12 Oct 2012, 14:20 pm
@Dawn-309:
I am slimy……………………………… true.
and,
the underside of a maggott ,……………..is not too distant from the truth.
BUT FICKLE……………………………You really know how to hurt a guy.
12 Oct 2012, 14:20 pm
@willievz-326:
Huh! When did Mr Price open in NZ?
12 Oct 2012, 14:20 pm
Now now Joanne
Why are you enquiring after dogs
12 Oct 2012, 14:21 pm
@Dawn-333: @Nikita-324: Although, given you and Dawn’s remarks, I’m thinking along the lines of an inflatable paddle pool filled with oil
12 Oct 2012, 14:21 pm
@Nikita-332: I’ve lost you there.
12 Oct 2012, 14:22 pm
@Dawn-333:
All the dog food chat of yesterday
12 Oct 2012, 14:23 pm
@willievz-335:
You are forgiven willie. All is good when lost in translation.
12 Oct 2012, 14:23 pm
@Hurricane-328:
lol.
Between You and Brads………………………………….who needs the devil.
12 Oct 2012, 14:23 pm
@cane-331:
Is Rettalick from the Hutts?
Say it isn’t so
12 Oct 2012, 14:24 pm
@suffer_guy-323: who cares who has more money, a multinational is willing to pour money into NZ rugby..
ask yourself why?
what company doesnt want to be associated with a team with an 80% winning record? A team that hasnt lost a game in 16 tests?
how many multinationals are lining up to sponsor the Bokkes? and why would they? what company would want to associate itself with a team that wins just a little more than half the games they play?
12 Oct 2012, 14:25 pm
@poppa69-340:
Do you have a dog poppa?
12 Oct 2012, 14:26 pm
@poppa69-314: Ah Pops, I was just talking about you.
Back in Sydney, I presume?
Were you first in the queue at the store?
No, on second thoughts you were the only one there!
@Hurricane-328:
12 Oct 2012, 14:27 pm
@suffer_guy-323:
lol
dipstick
The Federal Reserve and the US Treasury not only rescued AIG from bankruptcy but also reported a profit on its four-year investment and has recovered a total $197.4 billion from the company. That’s all of its original investment of $182.3 billion plus a return of $15.1 billion to taxpayers
So has SARU made around 200 billion in 4 years?
12 Oct 2012, 14:27 pm
poppa, go google SA rugby & AIG …. 5 years ago AIG wanted to sponsor the Boks … we said no thanks! we’re no sell outs ….
12 Oct 2012, 14:27 pm
@willievz-326:
Exactly Willy.
Exactly.
12 Oct 2012, 14:27 pm
@poppa69-340: As you clearly live in a cave, look at AIG’s behaviour in 2009 and 2010 to understand why they are a hated company. Don’t turn it into a crusade about your beloved AB’s
Although I guess there is a pretty poetic link between how kiwi’s approach rugby and how AIG approach business
12 Oct 2012, 14:30 pm
@suffer_guy-344:
So the SARU took sponsorship from the biggest polluter in Southern Africa instead?
Cool.
12 Oct 2012, 14:30 pm
@BrumbiesBoy-342: nah, Im actually against the sponsors logo on the jersey, with that much tradition and recognition it cheapens it imo…but in todays world it is inevitable… the bonus is the exposure it MAY give the ABs in America, and also rugby…
12 Oct 2012, 14:30 pm
NZRU has to get money somewhere … cause they sure as hell aren’t making alot from ticket sales …. no one watches rugby in NZ – Super 15 avg attendance was 8 000 per game …… ITM cup is only 4 800 ….. Boks vs NZ test had only 17 000!
12 Oct 2012, 14:31 pm
@cane-305: Cover yourself up for god’s sake.
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