2001 New Zealand Training Shirt (L)

Condition: 8/10 Excellent. Light wear

Size: Adult Large (loose fitting)

Chest Measurement: 45-47 Inches / 114-119 CM

Manufacturer: Adidas

Colour: Grey-blue, black & white trim

Material: Polyester / Cotton

Seasons: 2001 & 2002

Player: N/A

Patches: N/A

Original Adidas New Zealand All Blacks rugby training shirt from the 2001/02 international season.

The condition of this original rugby shirt is 8/10 – Excellent. Light wear (see photos).

Under Wayne Smith and Tony Gilbert, New Zealand came second in the 2000 and 2001 Tri-Nations, and in neither season did the side reclaim the Bledisloe Cup – which had been lost in 1998. Both coaches were replaced by John Mitchell on 3 October 2001, and he went on to coach New Zealand to victory in both the 2002 and 2003 Tri-Nations, as well as regaining the Bledisloe Cup in 2003.

The All Blacks entered the 2003 World Cup as one of the favourites and dominated their pool, running up wins against Italy, Canada and Tonga, before winning one of the most competitive matches of the tournament against Wales. They defeated South Africa, a team they had never beaten at the World Cup, 29–9, but lost to Australia 22–10 in the semi-final in Sydney. Afterwards, Mitchell had to reapply as coach, but the NZRU instead appointed Graham Henry.