The Balls.ie RWC Jersey Rankings
France were the final team to unveil their jersey for next month's Rugby World Cup. Rugby's global tournament is a showcase of talent and skill with all 20 teams appealing to those interested in jersey porn.
World Rugby's regulations state that no sponsors can be displayed on jerseys, meaning we get some pure, clean designs that appeal to all.
We've decided to rank all countries based on their most attractive jersey - putting them into four distinct tiers - from "10/10 knockouts" to "Ah ya would" because even the worst jersey in this list is still better than most sporting efforts.
Here is the ultimate RWC Jersey Rankings:
"Ah Ya Would"
20. Georgia
Seems bound by the Under Armour design that features a prominent stripe across and down from the neck - which always seems to put me off. Still looks slick, but not a patch on previous Georgian efforts.
19. Scotland
They garner some points for the nod to the tartan design under the arms and around the neck, whilst the traditional collar will please old school rugby heads.
Works well with a kilt.
18. Wales
Pluses: No weird strip a la Georgia.
Negatives: The gold features make it seem like a Belgian soccer jersey.
17. Uruguay
Image courtesy of rugbystore.co.uk
I'm a simple man, with a simple taste. Usually the solid colour approach works in my eyes - but there's something off putting about how eye catching the black is compared to the nice light blue.
I'm no fashion expert - but this isn't for me.
16. Canada
Nice slick design, loses points for the soccer collar around the neck.
15. Namibia
The cleavage-like collar from Canterbury works for most jerseys, but the Namibian one seems different. The away (red) is much nicer than the blue.
"B-e-a-U-tiful"
14. USA
It's at the bottom of this tier for the hideousness of the navy jersey with the stars with the white and red stripes. I get it, it just looks a bit.
Whereas the beauty of the white jersey. So clean, so sleek.
13. South Africa
This category should really be called the slick jersey section. We'll be seeing a lot of this jersey as they move through the tournament - but they aren't as good as the Blitzbokke seven's outfit.
12. Australia
Australia beat South Africa into 12th solely because of the nice simple design on the shoulder that's not too in your face. We'll never see the slicker white jersey unless Australia manage to face Romania in the semi finals.
11. England
Putting aside that this is has a red rose on it for a second, it's quite a smooth piece of kit - and worthy of something in the top 10.
But it is an English kit, and there are some nice jerseys about - so we'll relegate it to just outside.
10. New Zealand
In once sense - New Zealand's jersey is exactly what you'd expect - All Black. There aren't too many things that you can say about an All Black jersey that doesn't change.
It's still attractive, the purple training jersey is an eyesore - but white kit works well.
9. Italy
Italy have worn nicer jerseys in the past - but that doesn't mean that this isn't a fine effort. Much improved from the awful sleeves they wore in the Six Nations. This is a return to a simple nice design, with an interesting collar.
8. France
We waited for France to become the last team to release their jersey, only for them to go - "We actually like the one we have, let's keep it how it is".
The home jersey loses points for whatever is going on with the sleeves, but the away red jersey is delicious.
And here's the new France #RWC2015 alternate shirt from @adidasFR #allbleus pic.twitter.com/Na42n4v2TY
— Rucked Magazine (@rucked_mag) August 20, 2015
7. Ireland
Ireland should probably lose points for the black alternate jersey - but unless Samoa or Scotland shock the Springboks we'll never see it.
It's one of the better Irish jerseys, and moves away from looking like the national football team kit.
"Hot Dayyum"
6. Romania
Now heading into some subtle designs and hipster choices - Romania's yellow with the oak tree design. The back reveals a slightly strange positioning of another cool design, but at least it isn't as NSFW as the away jersey.
5. Fiji
I think I prefer the black away jersey, but it's very close. It's less in your face that previous Fijian kits, and the graduated colour on the black is only gorgeous.
4. Tonga
It's both simple AND nods to the traditional Islander design, with the over the shoulder white pattern, and under the arms. Looks lovely.
3. Japan
Every single World Cup I'm always tempted to give in and get my own Japanese jersey. The likes of Fumiaki Tanaka should shock some people in this World Cup, and they'll look good whilst doing it.
"10/10 Knockouts"
2. Samoa
I was out-voted in the office about putting this first or second. My wallet could take a heavy hit here, as both the top two jerseys are pornographic.
Just LOOK AT IT!
The design doesn't transfer over to white overly nicely - but it's not the worst.
1. Argentina
When Argentina released their home jersey - it was described as borderline pornography. For some reason not much was made of the intimidating sexiness of the alternate jersey.
From the beautiful graduated dark to light blue, and the understated puma design - it somehow manages to one up their previous alternate jersey
