IRB tried to change ABs jerseys at halftime

The All Blacks were asked to change their jerseys during the halftime break of their match against Scotland to end a farcical clash of colours in yesterday's Rugby World Cup match in Edinburgh.
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International Rugby Board communications manager Greg Thomas, speaking on Radio Sport this morning, revealed the attempt failed because the All Blacks' traditional black strip had not been taken with them from their French base.

Thomas did admit the jersies were confusing and said a similar colour clash would not happen again.

"The match commissioner looked at the jersies before the match and thought they were quite different," Thomas said.

However, soon after the game got underway IRB officials realised the patchwork on the jersies made them difficult to differentiate the teams, particularly from side on.

"It was quite messy, we probably could have looked at it as bit closer," Thomas said.

All Black manager Darren Shand has sought an assurance that no team will be able to repeat what the canny Scots did.

In a rare concession the All Blacks confirmed yesterday it "compromised" their performance.

Generally the party line is to play down such matters.

But forwards coach Steve Hansen went on record saying it created confusion in close quarters play and sparked fears others may look to turn the same trick.

Hansen confirmed several players had complained about the clash of colours after the match and it had caused considerable confusion.

Luke McAlister was one of the highest profile victims.

"I think in all honesty some of the decision making was linked to the jersey," Hansen said.

"There was a classic example of when Luke McAlister broke (away) down the midfield and had people on either side (but didn't offload)."

Shand, in response to questions from reporters in Aix-en-Provence yesterday, confirmed the match day commissioner had viewed pictures of the jersey the Scots were supposed to wear and cleared them.

"But (the jersey in the illustration) had quite a bid more navy in it than the one they wore."

When asked if the Scots had pulled a swifty Shand said: "I don't want to go there".

"But the tournament organisers will ultimately have to resolve this.

"I know there were a number of senior officials there yesterday and they spoke to me post match.

"They are concerned about it and are dealing with it now.

"In the big scheme of things, we have had a good win, so this is a pretty minor issue.

"But it would be good to get it sorted out."

France loom as the team's likely quarter finals opponents and in recent months they have adopted a much darker strip which will mean if both teams meet in the tournament a coin toss will determine which team wears what strip.

Chris Jack said last week the team had noted France and Wales both now have jerseys similar to the All Blacks.

"There has been a few comments in the team but there's nothing much we can do about it," he said.
-with NZPA

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