The team's early uniforms consisted of a black jersey with a silver fern and white knickerbockers. By their 1905 tour New Zealand were wearing all black, except for the silver fern, and their All Black name dates from this time. New Zealand traditionally perform a haka (Māori challenge) before each match. Traditionally, the haka performed is Te Rauparaha's Ka Mate, though since 2005, Kapa o Pango, a modified version of the 1924 All Blacks haka, Kia Whaka-ngawari, has occasionally been performed.
However, the Natives then turned out in their third match (against Auckland) wearing “all black with silver fern” (Star, 9 July 1888; Otago Witness, 13 July 1888). Unfortunately, there is no known report explaining why the teami’s sudden and late change of the tour jersey from dark blue to black.
NEW ZEALAND FOOTBALL CLUB IN SAN FRANCISCO. “Young New Zealanders are ‘great’ on the game of football; and wherever a number of them congregate a Club is sure to be formed. From a recent San Francisco paper we learn that a large meeting of football enthusiasts was held at the Baldwin Hotel by former residents of New Zealand for the purpose of organising a club to play that game. After some discussion, it was decided to name the association the ‘New Zealand Football Club’, and to play under the rugby rules. These allow the ball to be handled by the players. The uniform chosen will consist of a black jersey and knickerbockers. The season will be opened one week from Sunday next with a practice game.”
It is not generally known that one club in New Zealand sported the black jersey, with silver fern, before that regalia was adopted for All Black sides. On Thursday, March 16, 1889, Feilding club decided on the now famous uniform, no doubt getting the idea from the Native Team's dress, Mr Swan wrote.
