Japan 2019 will be the first Rugby World Cup tournament held in Asia, outside the traditional heartland of rugby union. To commemorate the growth of the sport in the region Yohji Yamamoto designed a new jersey for New Zealand’s national rugby union team, the most famous rugby squad in the world.
The new Y-3 All Blacks jersey for Rugby World Cup 2019 fuses Maori and Japanese design aesthetics. Taking inspiration from the Maori concept of kaitiaki (guardianship) and the Japanese fuko neko (lucky cat), the Y-3 team designed a mythical cat graphic which will adorn the back of the jerseys. Acknowledging the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup successes in 1987, 2011 and 2015, the RWC trophy is embossed on the right sleeve. The All Blacks silver fern logo remains on the left-hand side of the jersey. The training range also includes a performance tee, performance singlet, polo shirt and hoodie.
“We wanted to create a jersey that brought together the Japanese and Maori cultures” Yohji Yamamoto said. “The design bears hand-drawn koru and fern motifs in a celebration of Maori culture. It has been a privilege to work on such a major project and I wish the team the best of luck in the tournament.”
Shop the addidas x Y-3 x All Blacks collaboration now at adidas.com and allblacks.com.
