Martin Lange, editing by Philippe Folgado // Photo credit: DAVID ROGERS / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP 06:13, 08 September 2023

It's the big day! The Rugby World Cup kicks off tonight with a beautiful poster, France - New Zealand. A match to follow in full on Europe 1. New Zealand is the Haka, but also this black jersey, timeless, legendary ... A jersey that we owe to a French artist, Fey the Wolf, whom Europe 1 met.

"Hi, have you ever made a jersey? It's for All Blacks." It is with this funny message received in 2021 that the adventure in rugby begins for the French artist, Fey the Wolf. A proposal to which he answers yes without hesitation. A major challenge for the 34-year-old Parisian artist, who was fascinated by the Haka and by New Zealand players, during his childhood. 20 years later, he imagines the new all-black tunic that will be worn by the All Blacks during this Rugby World Cup in France.

"I'm at two years of exchanges with the players"

For this world event, Fey the Wolf took the time to discuss with all the players who make up the All Blacks before proposing this new jersey. The originality lies in this white stripe printed on the entire tunic. "It's 14 ferns in addition to the one already present on the logo, there are 15 that represent the 15 players on the field," explains the artist. A symbol of unity, a fundamental value of rugby.

New threads #AllBlacks#RWC2023#adidaspic.twitter.com/KWDpRe2d4k

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) June 28, 2023

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The jersey was released in New Zealand in June, an event that allowed Fey the Wolf to meet them. "I found myself in a room with them, they are scary, I felt small," recalls the Parisian. When asked who will win between France and New Zealand in the opening match, Fey the Wolf is torn. "If France wins, I'm a winner. If the New Zealanders win, I made the jersey so I'm a winner too."

What is certain is that he will be present in the stands of the Stade de France to support both the XV of France and his black jersey.