The Highlanders yesterday revealed their unpopular new green strip, the subject of a public backlash after being unveiled for the Force game at Carisbrook three weeks ago, is to be worn again for the entire 2012 season.
But the team hopes upset fans will be assuaged by the opportunity to help design a new look for 2013 and beyond.
Highlanders chairman Ross Laidlaw said the board originally rubber-stamped the green jersey late last year as part of the "overall marketing plan to refresh the Highlanders franchise".
The franchise was now contractually committed to wear the new strip in 2012.
"The lead times on these decisions are much longer than you would think and it is not feasible to change our home jersey for 2012 now," Laidlaw said in a statement.
When the Highlanders released plans for the new green jersey, they said the change was to recognise the franchise was now separate from the provincial unions and needed a fresh start.
But the reaction, from the majority of fans, was damning.
There was a feeling the Highlanders had erred in not consulting the supporters and stakeholders, and many wondered what green represented.
Otago Rugby Football Union chairman Wayne Graham and former Highlanders captain Anton Oliver were scathing in their criticism, and Labour MP Claire Curran was ejected from Parliament for wearing a traditional Highlanders top.
Laidlaw said the board acknowledged the public response and "confirmed the need to have a more inclusive process for determining designs that appropriately represent the entire franchise region".
Later this year, the Highlanders will work with Adidas to develop a new jersey design. But the board was also "committed to consulting with the public as to the look and feel of that jersey over the next few months", Laidlaw said.
Neither Laidlaw nor Highlanders general manager Roger Clark could be reached for further comment.
