The silver/gray version worn by the All Blacks when they lost their fateful 2007 Rugby World Cup quarter final to France in Cardiff was immediately consigned to the "never-to-be-worn" again status - more because of the result it will always be associated with than any objectionable fashion aesthetic.
The last time the All Blacks played in an alternate strip was in Paris in 2013 against France where they wore an all white jersey and won 26-19.
A lot of social media comment speculated on the influence of major sponsors AIG and adidas on the strip design. Many felt the All Blacks brand had been subsumed by the sponsor badging on the new jersey.
ESPN's website carried a story headlined 'All Blacks' alternate strip cut to pieces on social media'.
Critics include NZ First leader Winston Peters who claimed no amount of "psycho-babble propaganda will make those who think it doesn't cut it change their minds".
But the fashion editor for the Herald's popular Viva and Canvas magazines, Dan Ahwa, described the strip as "dynamic and cool".
"There's something powerful and intimidating about our national team dressed entirely in black, so to see them in a kit other than that we've come to associate them with is always going to be met with scepticism," he said. "Although a radical change, as an alternative to the all-black home jersey I think it looks dynamic.
"The angled design across the chest in black is interesting and a cool way to add the team's official colour to the previous all white away jersey. But ultimately, it comes down to how they perform on the field that matters, so whatever colour they're wearing, go the All Blacks."
Radio Sport's breakfast show featuring Kent Johns and Nathan Rawere polled 12 callers asking if the strip was a "fashion crime or not" with the verdict narrowly falling to "not guilty".
