New Zealand lived up to their moniker by wearing their blackest kit ever
Monday 21 September 2015 16:31, UK
New Zealand lived up to their moniker by wearing their blackest kit ever during their 26-16 win against Argentina.
Gone were the colourful boots loved by the likes of Ma'a Nonu, Aaron Smith and Sonny Bill Williams as the team were decked out head-to-toe in black following a new boot design.
'We believe Blackout boots make a strong and powerful statement, just like the All Blacks do every time they hit the field," explained Simon Cartwright, Senior Director of adidas Rugby.
"Producing 'the blackest ever' kit was born from the insight that facing the colour black is an intimidating experience, which we believe ultimately gives the All Blacks a competitive edge."
Dan Carter's black-cladded boot was at its metronomic best as he nailed two conversions and four penalties as the All Blacks started their World Cup defence with victory against the Pumas.
However the 'Boot of McCaw' became the real pantomime villain at Wembley as the All Black skipper was yellow-carded for only the third time in his career.
McCaw cynically stuck out his right leg to trip Fernandez Lobbe as Argentina took a tap penalty and was sent to the sin-bin to the jeers and boos of the record World Cup crowd of 89,019.
"It's happened before and if you get wound up about it, it's not going to help you," said McCaw about the booing.
"You've got to block that kind of thing out. I was sitting in the sin-bin at the time, so I didn't have a lot of comeback."
New Zealand take on Namibia on Thursday, 24th September, 8pm at London's Olympic Park
