The Red Rose is kept and this will be scattered with ancient Maori symbols and decorations over the black strip in celebration of the World Cup being held in New Zealand.

The New Zealand Rugby Union have said that they have no qualms with England wearing the strip in spite of the similarity in basic colour to the all-black strip of the New Zealand team. And according to the Rugby Football Union (England) they feel confident that the host nation's fans will not be offended by England wearing an all-black strip. It seems that little thought has been given to the feelings and attitude of English rugby fans who surely must feel that losing the nostalgic touch of the white strip is a strip too far!

The All Black winger Jonah Lomu has become the latest New Zealander to denounce England's new black shirt, saying the decision leaves him 'dumbfounded.' New Zealander Prime Minister John Key dubbed the England team 'a bunch of wannabes.' He went on to state, 'there's only one team that wears black with pride and that's the All Blacks.'

One wonders whether the increased revenue likely through sale of jerseys is the bottom line to such an extraordinary decision by the Rugby Football Union.