All Blacks players during the All Blacks first full team training session in London. Photo / Brett Phibbs
All Blacks players during the All Blacks first full team training session in London. Photo / Brett Phibbs
There will be no sightings of a shirtless Sonny Bill Williams after training at the Rugby World Cup -- unless you have a seat on the team bus.
The All Blacks will become accustomed to changing among the cramped confines of their bus in the next six weeks, a compromisethat enables sponsor AIG the maximum exposure permitted by tournament rules.
With advertising on team apparel banned at all World Cup venues excluding the practice field, the All Blacks are forbidden from arriving at their hotel with the American International Group logo still strapped across their chests.
Since changing clothes before boarding the bus would deny AIG precious time in front of the television cameras, the players will instead undress once behind tinted windows.
"The moment we leave our training venue, we go back into the Rugby World Cup bubble," New Zealand Rugby boss Steve Tew told Bloomberg. "So the boys will be getting changed on the bus, literally."
The makeshift dressing room is a necessary inconvenience to ensure AIG receives its money's worth from the $80 million deal signed with NZ Rugby in 2012, with both parties fortunate for even this allowance.
Jersey-front advertising was previously prohibited entirely at the World Cup, with the Wallabies blaming the restrictive rules when dumped by chief sponsor Vodafone following the 2003 tournament. But with this year's World Cup the first chance for AIG to enjoy rugby exposure on a truly global scale, NZR was one of the driving forces behind loosening the advertising ban.
So while the AIG logo will be absent from the All Blacks' jersey when they kick off their campaign against Argentina on Monday morning (NZT), the partnership will pay dividends at practice.
Hansen's side were also able to attend sponsorship events for AIG before the tournament began, having arrived nine days early to satisfy the insurance company's commercial imperative.
"We've got ambitions to sell more licensed products and be a better-known brand," Tew said.
Richie McCaw during the All Blacks first full team training session in London. Photo / Brett Phibbs
The World's Cup with Steve Deane: What the global media are saying
Scots v world
A Scottish MP is calling for bagpipes to be allowed into games. Hannah Bardell, MP for Livingston, submitted a motion in the British Parliament to "condemn the banning of bagpipes" by organisers. Items that "might compromise or otherwise interfere with the enjoyment or comfort or any person at the venue" are banned. They include musical instruments, oversized hats, large umbrellas and vuvuzelas. Putting her at odds with the majority of the non-hearing impaired, Bardell is insistent bagpipes aren't annoying. Her motion asks MPs to recognise "bagpipes are not dangerous" and "the importance of cultural identity associated with bagpipes".
London calling
A consortium of sponsors headed by Vodafone is paying for Prime Minister and President of the Fiji Rugby Union Voreqe Bainimarama to attend the Rugby World Cup, the Fijian Broadcasting Corporation reports. The decision was made after World Rugby said it was not in a position to sponsor Bainimarama. Vodafone Fiji chairman Ajith Kodagoda said Bainimarama had done much for sports administration and deserved to be at the big show. The sponsors feel Bainimarama's presence could provide a psychological boost before the opening match against England at Twickenham. The Prime Minister is expected to hand out the jerseys and address the players before they run on to the field.
Toy story
Turns out Kiwis are not the only ones who go crazy for collectables. Website ToyNews reports Rugby Match Attax trading cards are the No1 Rugby World Cup-themed toy. Early sales by collectables maker Topps have placed Rugby Attax as top RWC product for a number of retail groups. Children across the Britain have been getting their hands on the latest collection, featuring all the England rugby players, along with exclusive legends such as Jonah Lomu and Jonny Wilkinson. No word yet as to whether Stu Forster and Shayne Philpott are among the 240 featured players. Starter Packs retail at $12.
Los Puma fan learning from best
Agustin Escalona says Argentinian rugby has progressed by leaps and bounds since being included in the Rugby Championship. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Agustin Escalona is one of few people in New Zealand who would like to see an upset on Monday morning when the All Blacks take on Argentina in their opening match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The 29-year-old Argentine, from Buenos Aires, plays lock and flanker for Old Boys University club in Wellington and is in the Wellington Lions development team.
The dedicated Puma fan moved here three-and-a-half years ago and is not planning on leaving anytime soon.
"[I'm] happy with work and rugby and it's a really good place to live, it's a really friendly environment."
Escalona, who works as an engineer, is enjoying "learning from the best" on the rugby field and said the Argentine team have been doing the same. "We have a lot to learn in terms of speed and all the travel and the preparation and professionalism and the good conduct of your players."
He said rugby in Argentina was benefiting from regular Southern Hemisphere fixtures.
"Since the World Cup in 2007, rugby has picked up a lot and now that Argentina's in the Rugby Championship and is joining Super Rugby next year, there is a whole lot more preparation and awareness. The media's covering the World Cup very well, so there's a lot of build-up and the country is behind the team."
Escalona plans to watch some of the upcoming Rugby World Cup games with other members of the Argentinian community, who meet at The Grand in Wellington.
Escalona believes the "southern giants" could learn from his countrymen. "I think New Zealand, Australia and South Africa would also benefit from traditional Puma play of scrummaging, or playing more with the forwards, and also the culture of the crowd and people."
Are you a super fan of an overseas RWC team? Email newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz
