Rugby: All Blacks unveil new jersey

Richie McCaw of the All Blacks unveils the new uniform. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks have unveiled their new-look playing jersey at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

The redesign of the strip had been a closely-guarded secret before tonight's match against the Springboks.

The jersey is more skintight than the previous strip, and also features a white band along the back of the collar.

The strip has a similar v-neck style collar to the one worn previously.

Fullback Mils Muliaina, playing his 96th test tonight, joked earlier in the week that the skintight design means players will have to be in peak condition to avoid an unflattering look.

"That's why we've been training so hard for the last three weeks, trying to get the skin folds down," he quipped.

The veteran All Black is confident the New Zealand public will give it the tick of approval, but noted that he is more concerned with the results.

"You certainly hope that the performance you put out on the track will attract more attention than what we're wearing, but hey, it is the All Black jersey."

"There's not much change at all. There's still the blackness in it, the silver fern's still on it."

All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw said that while the jersey is "revolutionary" it is "also respectful to the All Blacks' long and proud history."

Follow the All Blacks v Springboks tonight with Herald Online's live commentary.

- Herald Online with NZPA