Former All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot is set to reclaim one of his most cherished possessions, a jersey he thought was lost forever due to a burglary. Earlier this year, upon returning from his stint in France, Elliot discovered that his storage unit in Hawke’s Bay had been broken into, resulting in the theft of about a dozen jerseys. These included memorable pieces from his career, such as those from the Māori All Blacks, the New Zealand under-21 and under-19 teams, and even a jersey from the Hurricanes, marking their 2005 NPC final victory.
The emotional weight of these jerseys is immeasurable for Elliot. “The sentimental value of those jerseys, you can’t put a dollar price on that,” he shared, expressing the deep memories attached to each piece of clothing. In his quest to recover the stolen items, Elliot utilized his connections, reaching out to collectors and following leads on social media. One jersey in particular—a New Zealand under-16 jersey he wore over 20 years ago—held special significance as it marked the beginning of his international rugby journey.
Dylan Booth, an avid collector from New Zealand now residing in Australia, began assisting Elliot in the search for the lost jersey. Booth, known for his Instagram account “Boothy’s Rugby Relics,” focuses on locating and returning jerseys to their rightful owners. While initially unsuccessful at tracking the jersey down via Facebook, a fortunate twist of fate occurred when Booth visited a vintage market on the Gold Coast. There, among the racks, he spotted the exact under-16 jersey that had been missing.
Thrilled by his find, Booth promptly purchased the jersey for $120, believing it was an investment well worth making to return a piece of history to its owner. “It’s pretty sad that it got stolen along with the others. That’s probably the one that almost meant the most to him,” Booth reflected.
Elliot expressed immense gratitude upon hearing the news that his treasured jersey was on its way back. “It felt like Christmas had come early,” he said, acknowledging Booth’s dedicated efforts. Furthermore, the recovery sparked renewed hope for Elliot as other collectors began reaching out about the stolen jerseys, prompting optimism about potentially recovering more of his valuable collection for his family, particularly his son, who would be delighted to see his dad’s jerseys returned.
This story underscores the power of community and support in overcoming adversity. It’s a heartwarming reminder that through resilience and connection, lost treasures can sometimes find their way home, enriching the lives of those who cherish them.
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