Wear black and white to show you back the ABs

C’mon New Zealand! Get behind the All Blacks! Wear a black and white ribbon to show your support.

That is the message from Air New Zealand to Kiwis wanting to show their support for the team at the Rugby World Cup.

In a campaign launched today Air New Zealand announced it is producing 50,000 of the ribbons for distribution nation-wide. They will be available free from Air New Zealand Travelcentres, Koru Lounges and airports around the country from Tuesday 26 October 1999.

Air New Zealand has already taken a lead placing images of the All Black front row on a Boeing 747 Jumbo jet and a Saab domestic aircraft and of Taine Randell on a Boeing 737 domestic jet. In addition the airline has adapted a television advertisement to include its theme song, Pokarekare ana.

Air New Zealand Managing Director, Jim McCrea said with the All Blacks now in the knock out phase of the tournament, the time was right for the airline to get behind the team with a wider campaign of support.

"We know the All Blacks have the country right behind them but not everyone can fly over there to give their support. Black with a little bit of white are New Zealand's traditional colours and these ribbons are a patriotic way to show the world the commitment to our team and our country.”

Mr McCrea said Air New Zealand was a ‘front row’ supporter of the All Blacks and New Zealand rugby. “We have dressed three of our planes and made them into large flying billboards. We want to see New Zealanders get behind the team by wearing the ribbons."

Members of New Zealand’s armed forces in East Timor haven’t been forgotten either. Soldiers, sailors and airmen and women representing their country there are getting almost 2,000 ribbons to show their support. “We are delighted our personnel can share in supporting our team at the World Cup,” an armed forces spokesperson said.

As well as producing the 50,000 ribbons, Air New Zealand is encouraging New Zealanders to go out and make their own as well.

Supporters’ tours travelling to the Rugby World Cup will be also given the ribbons when they leave the country.

The ribbons — black over white — are 10cms long and come complete with a gold coloured safety pin.

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