new kit blog from Canterbury

[LE15]

Think If the main body had been Green instead of the "bib" and just the sleeves striped it would of looked great.

[Big Dai]

Happiness is an outmoded concept! The shirt reeks of commercialism and branding. IMHO those who spend money on this rubbish are endorsing a sell-out of traditional values.

Well thanks for that - I was actually really only meaning you saying Tigerburnie (and by association others) had more money than sense sounded pompous IMO. Each to their own I guess, though you appear to not buy into that concept.

No more 'branding' than any other shirt for the last few years I reckon, unless of course you consider the 'bib' to be nothing more than a 'look at Caterpillar' device, or the tiger print effect of the stripes on the 'test' and 'pro' shirt to be OTT. I've ordered one, in fact I pre-ordered it without seeing it, bit shocked - pleasantly so as it goes - but certainly not disappointed. Nice to know I've contributed to the downfall of Tigers and rugby in general, maybe civilisation as we know it will follow, but i'll lose no sleep, far far more important and generally depressing/serious things going on in the (my) World than a rugby shirt design upsetting people.

For years I couldn't justify the expense of rugby shirts, often buying them several years after they'd become obsolete for a knock down price. Tigers are my one unashamed vice in life, I do not feel exploited or dirty for chucking some money at them when I am finally in a position to indulge.

And I voted option 1 by the way. time for a shower to completely cleanse myself.

Remember to wash the mouth out with soap! No need to lose sleep over anything. Declining standards came with the lurch into the professional game. It's as as inevitable as death itself but hopefully no where near as terminal. It's an old chestnut of mine but when we went from wearing the town crest to that silly logo things were heading towards a franchise or a brand rather than a "town club." I think the supporters chuck a fair amount into their hobby, one way or another. Tickets, travel (a LOT more expensive these days), television subscriptions for those a little more select in when they venture out. Programmes, beer, food (Though some may argue the former is a substantial part of the latter)...it all adds up. Throw new shirts into that mix it's even more expensive. The supporter bears this cost with a smile. But there is a limit. This shirt represents my limit. It's hideous! Expensive! Rugby league! (or French rugby union at best!)There are more important things in life agreed! Like affording Diesel, keeping the car on the road and getting to a few games....I just won't be wearing this tripe whilst I do it!

[JWM]

It looks FAR FAR better on the Lovell Rugby website... The under arm green panels give a much better sense of purpose to the 'bib'.

http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/products/12767.jpg

[Bill W (2)]

It looks FAR FAR better on the Lovell Rugby website... The under arm green panels give a much better sense of purpose to the 'bib'.

http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/products/12767.jpg

Exactly JWM. But to some any change is to be challenged.

Oh and btw, it means the new "away" shirt can merely replace the green panels with white (CATERPILLAR in green)

[yellow_balaclava_hunter]

It looks FAR FAR better on the Lovell Rugby website... The under arm green panels give a much better sense of purpose to the 'bib'.

http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/products/12767.jpg

Exactly JWM. But to some any change is to be challenged.

Oh and btw, it means the new "away" shirt can merely replace the green panels with white (CATERPILLAR in green)

What a cliche of a comment there by Bill.

If a change is made to introduce something that is worse than the thing that it is replacing then it is completely right that it is challenged. This change is one that is for the worse.

[APJones]

YUK YUK YUK YUK Rugby league springs to mind

My wife was going to buy it for my birthday next week but when she saw thought better not - it's not a shirt that would would look good on a middle aged season ticket holder.(or me )
I will stick to this seasons (or last seasons) thanks

[Bill W (2)]

What a cliche of a comment there by Bill.

If a change is made to introduce something that is worse than the thing that it is replacing then it is completely right that it is challenged. This change is one that is for the worse.

Oh I can do cliches!!

Always sacrifice the good for the worse because by definition what replaces the good will be (at least half the time) worse.

Sometimes the good is sacrifed for the better - but that is a very short term policy because then when you change the better it is bound to be for something worse!

And of course in this case "the good" (was it that good?) had to be changed for commercial reasons - and it will be again in 2 years time - perhaps for something much better. Or not.

The bottom line is will the new shirts sell?

Some may only buy them to be buried (or cremated) in them. Others will wear them with pride.

My guess is that since they are "different" they will sell. T.C. Mitts will not allow himself to be seen in "last seasons" shirt!

[Caerlyr Osprey]

The kit is gowing on me. Mrs O thinks the players one looks very good.

But I'm more impressed with is are the other new products. The base layer looks really good, the track jacket (at least from the pictures) looks 100 times better than the ones Cotton Traders have been flogging for the last season or two and the zipped fleece TTT is modeling looks good. I've been waiting to replace my 14 year old Tigers fleece and I don't think I'm going to have to wait much longer.

Hopefully the rest of the range will be as good and fingers crossed canterbury bring out some of their Uglies range in tigers colours as they've done with their other teams.

[APJones]

It looks FAR FAR better on the Lovell Rugby website... The under arm green panels give a much better sense of purpose to the 'bib'.

http://www.lovell-rugby.co.uk/products/12767.jpg

IF THE BIB HAD BEEN CUT OFF HORIZONTALLY UNDER THE CATERPILLER NAME
IT WOULD NOT LOOK QUITE SO HIDEOUS

[Tyzot]

This new kit is a fundamental design style change and as such was always going to provoke a stronger reaction that previous kit changes. Certainly, I don't remember such a debate when the last few kits have been launched. Those that don't like it are mostly not just being reactionary. Its just a style that they don't like.

For me, the negatives of the bib style outweigh my desire to always have the latest shirt and so for the first time I won't buy it.I also don't like the fact that the classic shirt is a different design to the one to be worn by the team - that's something I really don't understand and as others have said I suspect that the pre order without showing a picture, was a bit of a cynical ploy to just get sales off the mark. The logic being that once a few hundred wear it - others will follow, but early sales (and wearing at WR) are key.

So there it is - my opinion.

Don't mean that I will have a go at those who really like the new design or choose to disagree, its their choice. So lets have the debate - but cut out the digs.

[DickyP]

More than anything I resent the huge increase in price for the Classic cotton variant over last seasons equivalent. 11% if you are getting the short sleeved and 22% the long sleeved. (This is, of course, ignoring the recent price cuts to offload the 'old-stock' in order to compare like with like.)

[Hot_Charlie]

TBH, I think we've been lucky with modest price increases in the last 12 years. IIRC the adult shirts cost £40+ in 1999.

[APJones]

TBH, I think we've been lucky with modest price increases in the last 12 years. IIRC the adult shirts cost £40+ in 1999.

and we have had two huge recessions since then !

[Hot_Charlie]

I also don't like the fact that the classic shirt is a different design to the one to be worn by the team - that's something I really don't understand

It's rather obvious. First, the classic shirt has a classic/traditional stripe style as it was inevitable that to quite a large proportion of the supporter the tiger stripes would be unpalatable. Secondly, there probably would have been production issues with using the tiger stripe design on a cotton shirt (unless you compromise massively on quality and longevity by printing onto cotton), as opposed to the printed polyester of the pro/test shirts.

[Tyzot]

Sorry HC I don't think it is obvious. Why design something that can't be made in all formats and something that by your logic, you know won't appeal to the whole demographic. The idea surely is that supporters wear the same design as the players (allowing for collar shape and logo printing etc.).