Jersey's Victoria Cross design 'crass at worst'

[The InnFORCEr]

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE
Last updated 13:42 16/09/2014


England rugby bosses have had second thoughts about championing a Victoria Cross design on controversial new jerseys for their national team.

It seems the link between a rugby jersey and military bravery has become too sensitive for the union's marketing team.

The Victoria Cross design has remained on the jersey - incorporated in the shape of small rubber grips across the chest area of the new shirts to act as a "ball-deadening grip" and help control - but any reference to the hallowed military medal was removed from a lengthy press release when the second version was approved for public consumption.

The new jerseys, manufactured by Canterbury Clothing, were revealed today in traditional white with a scarlet alternate strip. In a move from tradition the union's rose emblem was shifted to the centre of the chest.

The Times newspaper has suggested the jersey manufacturer and the rugby union had a change of heart on the appropriateness of the design given that the Victoria Cross was the highest award of gallantry a member of the British and Commonwealth armed forces could receive.

The Times questioned the appropriateness.

In a piece in today's editions, the newspaper said: "Certainly, it would seem incongruous at best and crass at worst to associate bravery on a rugby field with the sacrifices made by those who have received the Victoria Cross, which is awarded 'for most conspicuous bravery, or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy'.''

''Does that equate to the physical challenge of a rugby match? The medal is frequently awarded posthumously," the newspaper reported.

There was no comment from either the union or the manufacturer on the matter, though The Times noted: "The previous attempt to incorporate military symbolism into a shirt design is understood to have received a negative reaction after a garish England Sevens shirt was launched in April, inspired by the George Cross military medal."

England rugby jerseys have been involved in previous controversies.

For the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, England arrived with a black alternate strip, an obvious attempt to annoy the All Blacks who were hosting the game's biggest tournament.

The Nike jersey was perhaps more notable for falling apart on its first outing.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/i...crass-at-worst

[Stone Cold]

Looks like sanity prevailed

[Sheikh]

<snip.
For the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, England arrived with a black alternate strip, an obvious attempt to annoy the All Blacks who were hosting the game's biggest tournament.
<snip>

Yes, except that that wasn't what happened. England asked the All Blacks if they minded England having their alternate strip as black (presumably as it was not going to clash with anybody when they couldn't play in white) and the NZRU said it was fine. It was only after the kit was revealed that New Zealand took umbrage.

[blueandblack]

Yes, except that that wasn't what happened. England asked the All Blacks if they minded England having their alternate strip as black (presumably as it was not going to clash with anybody when they couldn't play in white) and the NZRU said it was fine. It was only after the kit was revealed that New Zealand took umbrage.

Why let facts get in the way of BS?

[chibi]

Yes, except that that wasn't what happened. England asked the All Blacks if they minded England having their alternate strip as black (presumably as it was not going to clash with anybody when they couldn't play in white) and the NZRU said it was fine. It was only after the kit was revealed that New Zealand took umbrage.

Well yeah that's true, but they were also the only team to come to New Zealand and then disrespectfully trumpet their new "we can wear black too" away kit all over the media. Argentina, Canada, Fiji and Wales also had black away kits, but they didn't behave like the English. It was like Woodward was still in charge of the team.