New AB's sponsor deal puts logo on jersey

The New Zealand Rugby Union's confirmed global insurers AIG have signed a five and a half year deal to partner the organisation.

AIG's logo will be seen on six NZRU team jerseys including the All Blacks, where it will be placed in the middle.

The first time the logo will be seen on a New Zealand rugby jersey is when the All Blacks Sevens team play in an IRB World Series tournament on the Gold Coast this weekend.

The NZRU are expecting criticism over the logo of insurance company AIG being slapped on the front of the All Blacks jersey.

CEO Steve Tew says the players have been accepting, but accepts it won't be popular in all circles.

"I hope the overall view is that we understand that you guys respect the jersey, and if you're telling us that this is a good thing for rugby and it's needed, then you have our support. But look, there's no doubt some people won't like that, and we respect that as well."

But All Blacks fans are already venting absolute fury at the sponsorship deal on what many see as the sacred jersey.

"Crap," "ugly," "sell out," and "yuck" are among the many simple comments on the All Blacks's official Facebook page, which has nearly two million followers.

Others point out AIG has been bailed out - with one person stating "The New Zealand All Blacks, now sponsored by the American taxpayer."

There are even some who have it confused with another company, IAG.

There are some others not as bothered, such as one fan who says it's not the jersey that matters, but the man wearing it.

What do you think about the AIG logo being put on the All Blacks jersey? Leave a comment below...

Photo: Richie McCaw with new jersey (Getty Images)