Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathan Parker
I'm glad that you're All Blacks spanked the Aussies, Richard. But, now I am a little curious as to how they got that name. Care to enlighten us?
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Thanks Nathan, I thought you'd never ask.
The first New Zealand national rugby team to tour up north was known as The Originals. They wore a navy blue uniform that was a very dark colour. They were a great team and spectators were impressed how they all seemed to be able to run like backs. In rugby the forwards are the big solid guys and the backs are the guys who do all the fast running.
Some journalist referred to them as 'The All Backs' and someone mistook the quote to be about their completely black uniforms, which were really navy blue, - The All Blacks. The name stuck. To this day, almost all NZ sports people and teams wear black uniforms, with a silver fern. So there you have it. By the way, the USA rugby team has improved a lot over the years, but they're still no match for the All Blacks. Before a match the All Blacks generally perform a fierce Haka - a traditional Maori war dance.