<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (O'Rothlain @ Jan 4 2009, 08:00 PM)
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We've all seen them. Every team is doing them. What's the big deal?
It seems every club are coming out with alternate kits that push the edge of the traditional rugby hoops...
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Well, obviously it's an attempt to sell more shirts.
Even if you're not a hardcore fan, if you see a shirt that looks cool then you're likely get it. I have no allegiance to Leinster but I have one of their shirts from a few years ago because I liked how it looks. If I had a lot of money and a bigger wardrobe, then I'd be splashing out on a lot more shirts simply because they look good, even if I didn't like the team.
Fact is, for both RL and Union the 'look' is a major selling point. Because the teams are stuffed full of young musclebound men, it's like having 13/15 free models. Shirts haven't gone all tight-fitting to stop scragging. RL shorts aren't so short because it makes them easier to run in. Canterbury didn't make those sticky shirts to coincide with the WC in order to improve players' fitness. They're all designed to emphasize physiques and ultimately to sell to fans.That's why even the trim on shirts curves round in line with the body's shape.
As far as I'm concerned, this is all fine. But I'd draw the line at changing the home shirt. For example I think Stade have gone a little far. I think if a club has a set of colours then it should keep them... I'd be disappointed if Saracens ever wore anything other than a mainly black shirt with bits of red. I wouldn't care if the sleeves/ sides were red, just so long as they kept the same basic colour scheme. Us, Wasps, Quins, and Northampton have all done well to keep our traditional look. Even though it's corrupted elswhere, football is a great example of this. All the sides wear the same home kit they would've worn in the 50s.
Away kits are different, and fair play, use them as marketing oppurtunities. It's a bit of fun, and since an away shirt will never be part of the 'blood' of a club, it's fine to change it.