KEY POINTS:
If the All Blacks face France at this year's Rugby World Cup as an away team they will have to wear their alternate strip, which is mainly silver.
The French team sponsor Nike has revealed a new strip with a new darker navy jersey, which is a departure from the traditional light blue.
It is a move believed to try to give the French a psychological edge as if the teams meet at the tournament - and France wins the coin toss - the All Blacks would be forced to wear their away strip which is predominantly silver, as the black would clash with the dark blue.
However French rugby writer Ian Borthwick is dismissing that theory and believes there is no suggestion it has been deliberately done to gain any advantage over the All Blacks. He says it could simply be a move by Nike to release a new range of clothing ahead of the tournament.
Meanwhile, All Blacks manager Darren Shand said: "We have the silver and black Addidas strip to wear when needed. It's not our first choice but the colours and the fern clearly make it an All Blacks jersey and it'll be something a bit different for any players who wear it.
"We expect to wear our alternate strip against Scotland during this year's Rugby World Cup but it's a bit early to say what teams we might see in the knockout round."
- NEWSTALK ZB / NZ HERALD
