Four years ago, when the World Cup came to Wales, no teams were able to produce exact replica kits of the shirts worn by their players due to International Rugby Board regulations.
But four years on, the world’s major kit manufacturers have agreed a deal with the tournament organisers to pay a licence fee to RWC to allow them to produce proper replica kits for the fans.
“We were faced with having to change our playing kit for the World Cup because of contractual obligations with the organisers, but the good news is that at least this time the fans will be able to wear the same shirts as the players,” said WRU commercial manager Gwyn Thomas.
“The genuine fans love to support their team and country by wearing the exact kit as the players. We weren’t able to satisfy their demands in 1999, but we can in 2003.
“What is more, the price of the Welsh jersey has remained at £49.99 for the past four and a half years while the revamped kit for England for the World Cup is being sold at £69.99.”
Welsh rugby kit manufacturers Reebok have once again designed the strips that Steve Hansen’s side will take to Australia. They have been backing the WRU since 1996 and have been responsible for a massive increase in sales since that time.
Under their contract with the WRU they are able to change the home and away Welsh kits every two years and were responsible for introducing the highly popular black ‘away’ jersey in the last cycle.
“Unlike football, where you can get teams like Manchester United having as many as five changes of kit in a two year period, rugby union has a much stricter code,” said Thomas.
“While there is always a demand from the players and team management to keep the playing kits up to date with all the new technology, there is also a huge desire from the public for more fashionable leisure wear.
“The fans also seem to understand the vital relationship that exists between them buying a replica kit and supporting the game they love. The money the Welsh Rugby Union makes from the sale of shirts is ploughed back into the game at all levels and, just as with every other professional sporting team, forms an important part of our income generation.”
Like the rest of the major sports goods manufacturers, Reebok have paid a £15,000 licence fee to the IRB to reproduce and replica kits that carry the tournament logo. They will also hand over a 15 per cent royalty fee from every sale to the IRB.
“If the demand from the fans wasn’t there, then companies of the stature of Reebok, who understand the market place so well, wouldn’t bother to cater for the demand,” explained Thomas.
“Reebok are producing five items of Welsh Rugby World Cup apparel – two playing jerseys, two polo shirts and a leisure shirt. These are all due to be revealed at an official launch ahead of the August international matches.
“Judging by the initial reaction of the retailers there is going to be a big demand for the whole range and tens of thousands of units have already been pre-ordered.”
But while the playing jerseys show a change in colours, as well as being devoid of Welsh sponsors’ logos, there will be a return to the red and black and black and red ‘home’ and ‘away’ strips for the 2004 RBS Six Nations Championship and next summer’s overseas tour.
“Reebok are currently in the middle of their fourth two year sponsorship cycle, which means the existing kit, as used last season and in Australia and New Zealand this summer, will remain next season,” said Thomas.
