Darren Shand, the manager of the New Zealand national rugby team, says that they are considering changing the traditional silver fern to a red fern over the world cup, as a gesture towards earthquake-hit Christchurch.
The prime minister of New Zeland, John key, as well as opposition leader Phil Goff, have both said that they support the proposal. The idea comes after last week’s decision that Christchurch will no longer host five pool games and two-quarter final games.
Shand said that the public had shared many other good ideas so far and that it wasn’t unusual to slightly alter the All-Black jersey to commemorate special or exceptional events.
He added, “The team, together with the NZRU, will look to pay tribute to those who lost their lives as well as the wider Christchurch community in the most appropriate way.”
