The new Ireland jersey that looks set to be worn at the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been widely criticised as it debuted on the Milan catwalk.
The official Irish Rugby social media accounts shared a ‘sneak peak’ of the new shirt, which will launch in July, and judging by the reaction it received, fans won’t be queuing up to get their hands on it.
Canterbury’s catwalk flop
Northern Ireland designer JW Anderson – son of former Ireland captain Willie Anderson – donned the new jersey at Milan Fashion Week, and he said that he wore the jersey for his dad: “It’s because it’s Father’s day today, so I thought I would.”
The Irish Rugby Twitter account shared a picture of Anderson in the jersey with the caption: “A sneak peak of the new @canterburyNZ Ireland jersey on the catwalk!”
A sneak peak of the new @canterburyNZ Ireland jersey on the catwalk! 👀#TeamOfUs | #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/p16aZ9J7Av
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) June 19, 2023
The new jersey has failed to pique the interest of fans on Twitter, who slammed the look of the 2023 kit and how it was unveiled.
“Like this might actually be the worst jersey launch I’ve seen,” read one quote retweet.
Another added: “What a weird, weird way to launch a jersey, and a poor one at that.”
“No way it’s that bad”
The jersey itself also received backlash, with Canterbury criticised for its colour and ‘lazy’ design, which looks eerily similar to the shirt worn at Japan’s 2019 Rugby World Cup.
One fan wrote: “Exact same as the last 5 years AND its world cup year. Ffs thats poor.”
While @Kristian7Ross tweeted: “We’ve had so many jerseys since Canterbury returned as kit supplier, and this isn’t one of the better ones. In fact, the last few have all looked so similar, you have to wonder if any effort is being made at all.”
We’ve had so many jerseys since Canterbury returned as kit supplier and this isn’t one of the better ones.
In fact, the last few have all looked so similar, you have to wonder if any effort is being made at all. #TeamOfUs | #IrishRugby https://t.co/uXX2Xs2bFs
— Kristian Ross (@Kristian7Ross) June 19, 2023
That comment was one of the more vanilla critiques, with another fan tweeting: “This is the worst jersey ive ever seen, and the bar for Canterbury/Ireland is low.”
Another added: “I honestly refuse to believe this is remotely similar to what will be announced. No way it’s that bad.”
One reply read: “Well this is atrocious. And this is how we find out. Right so.”
The colour of the jersey was a big sticking point for those who shared their views on Twitter.
“Looks like it’s been through the wash too many times. Can we just have green please? Irish green, not highlighter green,” one fan pleaded.
But perhaps it was just washed incorrectly?
Looks like it’s been through a washing machine at the wrong temp. Terrible. https://t.co/fA89PpVftK
— Ronan Costello (@anonymousronan) June 19, 2023
One fan did remain hopeful: “one day Ireland will produce a nice new jersey. today is not that day.”
Quarter-final exit
Following their 2-1 series victory in New Zealand last year and backed up with a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023, Ireland are currently ranked as the top side in World Rugby.
They are amongst the favourites to win the tournament in France, but the state of the jersey has Ireland fans and opposition fans questioning how far they actually go in the competition.
“If our jersey looks like this in the World Cup, we don’t deserve to win it,” one disgruntled fan wrote.
Meanwhile, the opposition fans were far more brutal.
“Crashing out in the quarter-finals again in picture form,” one tweet read.
@Edjenx joked: “History will remember this tweet as the moment Ireland’s #RWC2023 dreams fell apart.”
@ThalaMstutu77 added: “Damn the quarterfinal streak might have to continue cos no World Cup winner can win in this.”
Irish Rugby did confirm that the full range will be released in July, and Ireland fans will be holding thumbs that there is some tweak or improvement based on the reaction the ‘sneak peak’ received.
READ MORE: Loose Pass: The Top 14 final, Italy’s curious switch and some other departures
Article courtesy of
Source link
