A Maori elder and a descendant of the man who created New Zealand's iconic All Black jersey hopes Argentina can take revenge on England in the teams' World Cup opener in Dunedin on Saturday.

England will be wearing their controversial away black kit, even though they have usually played Argentina in their traditional white shirt, shorts and black socks, which does not clash with the Pumas' blue and white hoops.

The change strip, which has angered many New Zealand fans who believe it disrespectful to the All Blacks, is the work of leading sports clothing manufacturer Nike.

However, David Ellison, a Maori elder, is unimpressed.

In 1893, Ellison's great uncle Tom Ellison recommended the New Zealand Rugby Football Union adopt a black jersey with a silver fern.

Ellison told the Otago Daily Times he will declare the Argentina ambassador, the Pumas team and all their fans 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 against jeering England but instead said they should cheer for an Argentina win as that would get our mana [force] back".

AFP