BLUES UNVEIL 2026 UNITY JERSEY

The Blues are proud to unveil their 2026 Unity jersey, a design that brings to life the rich cultural fabric of our region.

The Unity jersey will be worn during the Anzac Day match against the Queensland Reds at Super Round in Christchurch.

Spanning Northland, North Harbour and Auckland, the Blues region is one of the most diverse in the country. 

This jersey is a celebration of that diversity as a visual story told through culturally significant motifs, patterns and symbols from the communities who stand behind our team every week.

At the heart of the Unity jersey is representation. The design acknowledges and celebrates the major cultural groups that shape our region - Māori, Polynesian, Asian and European communities.

Each culture is expressed through distinct visual elements, carefully balanced within the jersey so that no single story dominates. Instead, they come together to form a unified visual language.

Running through the design are braided cords, a motif deeply rooted in Polynesian art. These braids symbolise unbreakable bonds between families, teammates, and communities.

For the Blues, they represent the connection between our players and our people. No matter where you come from across our region, the jersey reminds us that we are strongest when we stand together.

Prominent throughout the jersey are shark tooth patterns, known as niho mano. Sacred in Polynesian culture, these symbols represent strength, protection, guidance and adaptability.

Integrated within these elements is a subtle reference to Rangitoto, grounding the design in Tāmaki Makaurau and reinforcing the connection between our team and our home. It’s a visual cue that wherever we travel, we carry our region with us.

Woven through the jersey are flowing wave patterns, representing the ocean as a central force in many of the cultures within our region.

For Pacific communities, the ocean is both a provider and a pathway. It connects islands, carries stories, and holds deep spiritual meaning. It represents life, journey, and, ultimately, legacy. Wave patterns are also an Asian design representing connection.

The waves on the jersey speak to that shared history of migration, resilience and connection, while also symbolising the journey we continue to take together as a club.

Its inclusion reflects the blending of cultures across Asia and the Pacific, while also aligning with the concept of tides - a nod to the rhythm and flow of our region, and the way different cultures ebb and flow together to create something stronger.

Intricate lattice and geometric border patterns feature subtly throughout the jersey, drawing inspiration from traditional Asian window designs.

These patterns represent structure, balance and heritage, reflecting the long-standing cultural traditions within the Blues region.

They also serve as connectors within the design, bridging different elements and reinforcing the idea that every culture plays a role in shaping the whole.

Representing the Anglo-Celtic heritage within our region, the jersey incorporates traditional Celtic knotwork, including the Triquetra, Triskelion and Dara Knot.

Together, they reinforce the idea that strength comes from connection, and that our diversity is something to be celebrated.

A limited edition of the jersey is available on the Blues online store until sold out