The Māori All Blacks have revealed a brand new jersey from Adidas, which the representative team will wear for their match against the British & Irish Lions next month.
The new shirt is inspired by respected Te Arawa leader Mita Hikairo Mohi, and has been designed by New Zealand Rugby Kaumātua Luke Crawford, and Māori artist Dave Burke.
The pair both studied under Mohi’s at the Wananga schools of learning on Lake Rotorua’s Mokoia Island, and so the placing of each element of the design has unsurprisingly been done with great care, paying tribute to the scores of young men who’ve had Māori stories and knowledge handed down to the by Mohi over the years.
Burke, who has leant his talents to striking Māori-inspired designs on several other Adidas jerseys, including the current Chiefs designs, was keen to emphasise the combined spiritual and warrior heritage of New Zealand’s native people.
Adidas’ Simon Cartwright was obviously thrilled with the design, and had this to say at its launch, “Dave Burke and Luke Crawford’s design embodies the power, direction and determination of the Māori All Blacks. It is with a shared heart, history and, ultimately, pride that they’ll wear this jersey to take on and win against the Lions.”
The Māori All Blacks will wear their new jersey for their match against the British & Irish Lions on 17 June in Rotarua, stay tuned for our full, in-depth review of the new shirt very soon.
Buy the new Māori All Blacks jersey at World Rugby Shop
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