180 Creatives Stalk the All Blacks

180’s Stacey Lee and director Helena Brooks tackle the Kiwi Rugby team for adidas

'Inside the Black Jersey' is a documentary series concepted by 180 Amsterdam and produced by U-Turn Content Production (180's new production unit) to document arguably the greatest rugby team of all time - the New Zealand All Blacks. From a small island of only four million, this legendary team has the power to summon and enchant fans from all over the world. Yet, outside the official press conferences and game coverage little is known or seen from inside the All Blacks mythical private circle. Thanks to the commitment of the All Black team and adidas, a small film crew was invited to join the Grand Slam Tour of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England to document behind the scenes of life on tour with the All Blacks, and most importantly, to reveal the team as they really are.

From the All Blacks perspective, a lot went into transporting 50 men and 5 tons of equipment 18,000km across the world to play 6 test matches in 5 weeks. And even more to turn 100 hours of content into a documentary film. The Inside the All Black Jersey team was 75% kiwi made up of Amsterdam based Stacey Lee, Claire Finn, James McLeod and London based director/DP, Helena Brooks.

The unguarded, personal portrayal of the team throughout the five-part series was achieved by through the use of a small film crew - consisting of just three women - and developing a distinctive narrative structure. From the captain, to the rookie to the superstar - they focused on one player per game enabling us to accurately measure the raw emotion, tension and struggles the team went through each and every leg of the tour.



Day 1: The first day was easy, all we had to do was organize ourselves and 45kgs of equipment to Edinburgh, Scotland, learn how to operate the HD cam, download footage and somehow convince All Black Captain, Richie McCaw and Team Manager, Darren Shand to allow us to actually make this project.

- Day 2: Edinburgh, Scotland. We’re allowed in. So to warm up we attend out first press conference to launch the tour. Virgins to the press experience, we received a number of dirty stares from fellow press when our wayward boom operator (Stacey) nearly took out All Black winger, Joe Rokocoko, with her microphone.

Day 3: Edinburgh, Scotland: The best way to infiltrate the All Black environment was to get cameras in the hands of the players themselves. With instruction manual firmly in hand, Helena teaches lock, Ali Williams, the basics in camera operation.

Day 4: Edinburgh, Scotland: They might be hardened rugby players but they still know a good rugby jersey when they see one. Here they are in Edinburgh examining the cut of their new jerseys on for the first time ahead of the first test match.

Day 5: Limerick, Ireland: Three girls escorting 45 kg of film equipment through 5 airports and across approximately 4100 miles was no small challenge. It was fair to say that by the end of the tour, game fitness was supremely high.


Day 6: Limerick, Ireland: Temperatures on shoot ranged between -4 degrees and zero, and unfortunately for us the All Blacks like to work rather hard, so outdoor shooting could last for up to 4 hours at a time.

Day 7: Limerick, Ireland: Co-directors and camera operators, Helena and Stacey discovering Ireland for the first time through their viewfinders. Producer, Claire, with her stills camera ever at the ready, was on hand to document the momentous occasion.

Day 8: Limerick, Ireland: After feigning her kiwi accent for the majority of the tour, Irish producer Claire was finally caught out in Limerick when the pints came around. Overall our Amsterdam-based crew from production to post was 75% kiwi.

Day 9: London, England: We knew the All Blacks were practically invincible, but to witness Fullback Jimmy Cowan fly during training was something else again.



Day 10: London, England: Four games in and at last the All Blacks have a day away from training. We caught up with Piri Weepu and Anthony Tuitavake and got their first impressions of London.

Day 11: London, England: With a team of 35 players, the AB's had a lot of variables during the tour. It goes without saying that our 'so-called' schedule changed every minute. Here we are with client, discussing yet another change of plan.

Day 12: London, England: we knew they AB's were big boys, but it is not until you are standing side by side that their size really becomes intimidating.

Day 13 Herzo, Germany: We discovered what it takes to fuel an All Black centre. For Ma'a Nonu, a lunch starter consists of a sandwich, an ice cream, banana, muesli bar, plate of pasta all washed down with a coca cola. His poor mother….

Day 14: Herzo, Germany: To get a hand-held effect Helena carried her camera on a rig 95% of the time. After 4 hours of non-stop filming, she says it was the equivalent of carrying half an All Black prop. You should see her guns now though.

Day 15: Milan, Italy: Stacey and Helena paper, scissor, rock who gets to mic up Kaka and who gets Dan Carter. Let's just say it was a win-win situation.

Day 16: Milan Italy: Maybe it shows on the smiles on our faces, but to say we were happy that we made it to the end of the tour was an understatement. The All Blacks and their staff were a pleasure to work with, but keeping up with this world class team took was almost as tiring as playing against them for 80 odd minutes.

Day 17-> 205: Amsterdam, Netherlands: Editor, James McLeod and Post Producer, Lucy Salter in the U-Turn Edit Suites spending what was to be half of 2009 transforming 100 hours of footage into 5 episode web films and a feature length cinema film.