 New Zealand 's early uniforms consisted of a black jersey with a silver fern and white knickerbockers . By the 1905 tour , they were wearing all black , except for the silver fern , and their name " All Blacks " dates from this time . The team perform a haka – a Māori challenge or posture dance – before each match . The haka performed has traditionally been Te Rauparaha 's Ka Mate , although since 2005 Kapa o Pango is sometimes performed . 
