![The new Highlanders away jersey. Photo: Supplied](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_portrait_medium_3_4/public/story/2020/02/highlanders_away_top.jpg?itok=lAT-6AYb)
The Highlanders’ green jersey which first came to prominence in late 2011 to a storm of protest and shock by many has now gone the same way as the Manchester United grey jersey and endless New Zealand Warriors playing jerseys.
The new away jersey, revealed in the weekend by kit supplier adidas, is a light blue, nowhere near the green.
The green jersey came in different shades over the years and, over the past two years, was a very bright green which would not have looked out of place on a road-works site.
When the green jersey was introduced in the final game of 2011, which was also the final match the side played at Carisbrook, it was said to try to set a new path for the Highlanders and get away from the mix of blue, maroon and gold, the three colours of Otago, Southland and North Otago.
The Highlanders were said to have a history but not a tradition. The jersey would be a way of starting anew as the franchise was broken and needed a fresh look.
But after debuting it at Carisbrook in 2011 to a very much mixed reception, the green jersey became more of an away jersey and was worn at various times over the years.
Some people thought the side struggled to win in the green jersey.
But it struggled to win many away games so it was never going to be too successful in green.
In the end, the jersey on the back is a sideline. Teams win or lose on playing ability — not the colour of the cloth they are wearing.
The new away jersey will only be worn when there is a clear colour clash. The blue colour is prominent in the other away jerseys for New Zealand sides apart from the Blues which has a white away jersey.
The Highlanders away jersey is designed to reflect the ocean surrounding the region — from the fiords of the west coast to the rugged southern coastline.
All new away jerseys are made with Parley Ocean Plastic, which is recycled plastic waste intercepted from beaches and coastal communities before it reaches the oceans.