Martin Lange, edited by Philippe Folgado / Photo credits: DAVID ROGERS / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
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06:49, September 8, 2023
This is the big day ! The Rugby World Cup will kick off this evening with a very beautiful poster, France – New Zealand. A match to follow in full on Europe 1. New Zealand is the Haka, but also this black jersey, timeless, legendary… A jersey that we owe to a French artist, Fey the Wolf, who Europe 1 met.
“Hi, have you ever made a jersey? It’s for the All Blacks.” It is with this funny message received in 2021 that the adventure in rugby begins for the French artist, Fey the Wolf. A proposition to which he answered yes without hesitation. A major challenge for the 34-year-old Parisian artist, who was fascinated by the Haka and by New Zealand players during his childhood. 20 years later, he imagined the new all-black tunic that will be worn by the All Blacks during this Rugby World Cup in France.
“I’m two years into discussions with players”
For this global event, Fey the Wolf took the time to chat with all the players who make up the All Blacks before offering this new jersey. The originality lies in this white band printed all over the tunic. “There are 14 ferns in addition to the one already present on the logo, there are 15 which represent the 15 players on the field” explains the artist. A symbol of unity, a fundamental value of rugby.
New threads #AllBlacks#RWC2023#adidaspic.twitter.com/KWDpRe2d4k
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 28, 2023
The jersey was released in New Zealand in June, an event which allowed Fey the Wolf to meet them. “I found myself in a room with them, they were scary, I felt small” remembers the Parisian. When asked who will win between France and New Zealand in the opening match, Fey the Wolf is torn. “If France wins, I’m a winner. If the New Zealanders win, I made the jersey so I’m a winner too.”
What he is certain of is that he will be present in the stands of the Stade de France to support both the XV of France and its black jersey.