Page 50 - MAB v The Lions

A A SPECIAL JERSEY
BATTLE JERSEY
Tonight the Maori All Blacks will don a a a a specially designed jersey in honour of highly respected Maori leader Mita Hikaira Mohi THE MAORI ALL BLACKS
and the British & Irish Lions share a a a proud history of ercely fought rugby contests and tonight they
go head-to-head once again To mark what will no doubt be a a a a a a a a a a a a memorable night adidas – – Principal Partner of New Zealand Rugby – – has unveiled a a a a a a a a a a a special-edition Maori All Blacks jersey worthy of the occasion The jersey which will be worn on- eld by by the Maori All Blacks in in Rotorua tonight is inspired by by highly respected Te Arawa leader the late Mita Hikaira Mohi who represented his country and and culture across multiple sports and and was also a a a a a a a a a a a leading teacher in in the art of traditional Maori weaponry Designed by by New Zealand Rugby Kaumatua Luke Crawford and and renowned Maori artist Dave Burke – both of of whom were students of of Mita Mohi – the the jersey displays cultural patterns that speak to to the the the history and and pride of Maori culture and and is is the the ultimate
homage to to to the the the the former mentor “When the the the the Maori All Blacks take to to to the the the the eld they
are warriors The warrior warrior stance at the the the the front of the jersey re re ects this and serves two purposes ” Burke says “Firstly it is is an an an intimidating tribute to to New Zealand’s history and and one one of the most prominent elements for for opponents when seeing the the the jersey for for the the the rst time and secondly it it connects the the the the the wearer to the the the the spiritual realm reminding them that they’re not walking alone ” Crawford goes on on on to explain the the the the four-eyed head of of the the the the taiaha on on the the the the back of of of the the the the jersey “With four four eyes looking in in all directions the the the taiaha offers spiritual protection to the the the players providing a a a a a a a a a a watchful eye over the the wearer at at at all times ” Crawford says “The intricately patterned arms represent whakapapa and and connectedness to each player’s whanau and and iwi “We have a a a a a a a a a responsibility to to our our family our our people and and and to to to New Zealand every time we we we take to to the eld and and and and we we we will wear this jersey with pride and and strength in our hearts knowing that we we are representing them every time we we do so ” Additionally the the the elaborately decorated handles of of the the the spear-shaped ghting clubs on both sides of of the the jersey pay tribute to to Mita Mohi’s dedication to to the traditional Maori ghting art of mau taiaha The last time the the Maori All Blacks went into battle against the the the British & Irish Lions was in in in 2005 when they
emerged with a a a a a a a historic 19-13 victory at at FMG Stadium Waikato Hamilton Senior Director at at adidas Rugby Simon Cartwright says the design was one all New Zealanders could be proud of and and was con dent it would help the the Maori All Blacks to repeat their incredible performance 12 years on from that memorable night “Dave Burke and Luke Crawford’s design embodies the the power direction and determination of the the Maori All Blacks ” Cartwright says “It is is with a a a a a a a a a a a shared heart history and ultimately pride that they’ll wear this jersey to to take on on and win against the the Lions ” Fans can show the the the Maori All Blacks their support by purchasing the the the replica special-edition jersey at all adidas stores major sporting goods retailers retailers rugby retailers retailers throughout the world and online at www adidas com
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