The Northern Bulls in the Super Rugby competition have a new away shirt for the 2012 season.
Puma are responsible for the pink and blue diagonal striped ensemble.
If a sports brand is going to go with bright colours for a rugby jersey, perhaps they should go further.
Paris-based Stade Francais in the French Top 14 have had a number of designs in the last 5 years.
Several of these are pink but they have evolved a long way from the somewhat conservative look of the Northern Bulls.
Stade have tried variations on the thunderbolt theme in the past.
But the French powerhouse have progressed significantly from there.
Our verdict: Puma have given the somewhat conservative Bulls a bright entry into the rugby fashion stakes but in order to be truly noteworthy, they must take on the challenge set by Stade and go a little further.
Female assistant referees were a prominent feature of the 2012 National Sevens Rugby tournament in Queenstown.
“The IRB is committed to the growth and development of Women’s Rugby worldwide through our strategic plan and there are now more women and girls participating in the sport than ever before”
[IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset]
Women’s rise in the ranks of rugby has been swift and it’s a good thing.
New Zealand's most experienced female referee, Nicky Inwood
I’ve had calls to create a section on boots due to the weird and wonderful designs worn by modern players. They are a form of player expression akin to hair styles and tattoos.
Check out these bad boys from Nike worn by All Black Corey Jane.
Corey Jane, Wellington, Hurricanes, All Backs
But it doesn’t look like this proposed new section will include any boots from players wearing ospreys colours.
The Welsh club giant have banned coloured boots for anyone who hasn’t played more than 50 games for the club.
So does this mean they will be using coloured boots as the ultimate status symbol?
A player will get his club tie after 25 games, his team blazer after 30 games and his coloured boots after 50 games.
The young All Black came to prominence when he had a short top and sides with a curly mullet at the back. After making the Hurricanes and All Blacks last year, he went with a more conservative look. Now he has gone back to his roots, playing very well for the Manawatu Turbos. The talented five eighth has also gone back to the short topped curly mullet that worked for him earlier in his career and it may just be the edge he needs to force his way into the All Black World Cup squad.
Check out this shocker from Waikato hooker Vern Camo.
The Northern Bulls in the Super Rugby competition have a new away shirt for the 2012 season.
The young All Black came to prominence when he had a short top and sides with a curly mullet at the back. After making the Hurricanes and All Blacks last year, he went with a more conservative look. Now he has gone back to his roots, playing very well for the Manawatu Turbos. The talented five eighth has also gone back to the short topped curly mullet that worked for him earlier in his career and it may just be the edge he needs to force his way into the All Black World Cup squad.
