As the countdown to the 2023 World Cup ticks down the All Blacks have unveiled their much-anticipated jersey to the chagrin of their fans with many questioning how you can "ruin" the design.
Featuring the usual all black colour scheme this time with a black collar, it's the new interpretation of the silver fern etched across the jersey that has many social media users calling it a "good contender for the worst jersey" at the World Cup.
NZR revealed Adidas had collaborated with French designer Fey The Wolf to create a unique interpretation of the famous jersey, but it appears not many people are fans of Mr Wolf's design with many comparing it to what you'd wear on a cruise ship.
It looks like the designers mixed up the rugby jersey and the NZ national lawn bowls shirt.
— Bomber (@Bomber0601) June 28, 2023
It's the worst all blacks jumper I've seen
— Jonobb (@Jonobb1) June 28, 2023
I honestly thought this might be a parody the first time I saw it
— Douglas Svor (@DSvor) June 28, 2023
Looks like something one would wear to a Hawaiian Beach Party 👀
— Troy W (@troyw2_) June 27, 2023
I'm not normally one for superlatives, but that jersey is probably the worst All Black jersey I've seen (not including away strips)
— Dangus Morangus (@ElectricRuck) June 28, 2023
New All Blacks jersey is sick pic.twitter.com/TD04uZLs1d
— Richard Irvine (@richirvine) June 27, 2023
But as one social media user pointed out, as long as the All Blacks lift the trophy for a record breaking fourth time, it doesn't quite matter what their jersey looks like.
Veteran All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith said he was honoured to have been a part of the design experience alongside Fey The Wolf.
"This is a massive year for us as we travel to France seeking our fourth Rugby World Cup title, in what is, arguably, the most fiercely contested tournament in living memory," Smith said.
"The jersey is so important, not only to us as players, but to all New Zealanders around the world - so to have the opportunity to talk through what the jersey and the fern means to us as a nation with Fey The Wolf, and be a part of that creative process, was a really unique experience."