David Ellison, a Maori elder and descendant of the man responsible for the All Black jersey, has urged Argentina to exact revenge on England in tomorrow's Rugby World Cup opener.
England will be wearing their controversial black change kit against the Pumas, which Ellison believes is disrespectful to tournament hosts New Zealand.
In 1893, Ellison's great uncle Tom Ellison recommended the New Zealand Rugby Football Union adopt a black jersey with a silver fern.
Ellison has told the Otago Daily Times that he will declare the Argentina ambassador, the Pumas team and all their supporters to be honorary members of the Maori community.
"I believe this would provide the Pumas with the kaha (strength) to match the black English jersey and allow those unhappy with Nike's choice of colour to be bonded to the Pumas, who, in turn, will have the added edge to exact utu (revenge) on our behalf," Ellison said.
"I don't think the English team realise how important the black jersey is to us. We are not blaming the team, we are blaming the suppliers who we believe chose that colour as a marketing ploy."
Ellison urged fans not to boo England - he will be cheering for an Argentina victory as "that would get our mana (force) back".
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