All Blacks look pretty in pink

The All Pinks doesn’t have the same fearsome ring to it as the All Blacks does but that didn't stop full-back Israel Dagg coming up with an alternative one-off design for the World Cup champions.

By Declan Whooley

As part of fashion week in New Zealand, Dagg and out-half Dan Carter got to customise their designs which were on public display at their training session ahead of Saturday’s Rugby Championship game with Argentina.

While Carter went for a more conservative light blue/dark blue combination, Dagg took the opportunity to show the type of flair that has defenders trailing in his wake. The rest of the squad got to choose between both strips for the session.

Speaking in the New Zealand Herald Dagg was at pains to point out that the jersey was a ‘salmon’ and not pink, but that did little to endear it to captain Richie McCaw.

“The skipper had a word and said ‘the forwards aren’t wearing that’. Most of the team wore it apart from Richie and his brutal machines” he told reporters.

Liam Messam revealed that he and fellow forward Victor Vito were left in no doubt by the World Cup winning captain about which jersey to wear.

“He looked at me and Vic - because obviously pink looks good on the brown brothers – just the look and that was enough,” Messam said.

We reckon it was a good idea that the jersey was just for promotion of the Fashion Week. The All Pinks may work as a club jersey in France but would be a radical step for the most traditional and unique jersey in world rugby.

And no-one wants to get on the wrong side of Richie McCaw.