the All Blacks will play in… white against France

Despite the World Rugby regulations which give priority in the choice of jersey to the visiting team, the All Blacks agreed to play in white this Saturday at the Stade de France to let the French XV wear their midnight blue jersey.

A change of color which does not disturb the New Zealand players. “It’s still an All Blacks jersey. It still has the silver fern on it, and that's all that matters to us.”pointed out hooker Codie Taylor.

A Poppy in tribute to the New Zealanders who died in the First World War

The All Blacks jersey will have another specificity this evening. As every time the New Zealanders play in Paris at this time of year, he will sport a red poppy on one of the sleeves. A tribute to the blood shed in Europe by the numerous New Zealand soldiers killed during the First World War, including thirteen All Blacks.

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Dave Gallaher, who was their captain in 1906 during the very first match between France and New Zealand, died in 1917. A trophy in his name has been awarded each year, since 2000, to the winner of the opposition between the XV of France and the All Blacks.

The last time the Blues faced New Zealand while they were playing in white, the French team achieved a prestigious success (40-25) on November 20, 2021.

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