Reference to the team by the name "All Blacks" first appeared during the 1905 UK tour when, a London newspaper reported that the New Zealanders played as if they were "all backs".Subsequent references were to "All Blacks". This may be a myth, as the name also describes their playing uniform of black rugby shirt, shorts and socks.
The current ABs jersey is entirely black, with the adidas logo and the NZRU All Blacks silver fern on the front. The 1884 New Zealand tour to Australia was the first overseas New Zealand rugby tour, and featured clothing far different from today's jersey. Back then, the team donned a dark blue jersey, with gold fern on the left of the jumper. In 1893 the NZRU made the uniform a black rugby jersey with silver fern and white shorts (later changed to black shorts).
Between 1897 and 1901 there was a change; by 1901 the team met NSW in a black jersey, a canvas top with no collar, and a silver fern.
The New Zealand All Blacks jersey is the most recognisable rugby jersey. It has become traditional for the All Blacks to wear an embroidered poppy on their jersey shirt sleeve when playing France during the end of year tours.The poppy honours the soldiers who died in the battlefields of Europe of both World Wars.
