Former All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot is set to be reunited with one of his most cherished possessions after a challenging ordeal. Earlier this year, upon returning from France, Elliott discovered that his storage unit in Hawke’s Bay had been broken into, resulting in the theft of a box containing around a dozen of his old rugby jerseys. The stolen items included jerseys from the Māori All Blacks, New Zealand under 21s and under 19s, as well as those from his time with the Hurricanes, the 2005 NPC final-winning team of Hawke’s Bay, and various international teams like Ireland, England, and the Wallabies.
Understanding the sentimental value these jerseys held, Elliot expressed his dismay, stating, “You can’t put a dollar price on that. The memories I have wearing those jerseys… it was a little upsetting to find out that quite a few had been taken.” The former player took it upon himself to try and track down the missing items, even reaching out to collectors on social media. One of the jerseys that caught attention was from the New Zealand under 16s team, which had significant sentimental value for Elliot as it marked his first representative jersey from the year 2000.
The narrative took a positive turn when Dylan Booth, a passionate rugby jersey collector based on the Gold Coast, came across the same under 16s jersey while browsing a vintage market. Recognizing its importance and knowing it belonged to Elliot, Booth purchased the jersey for $120 and eagerly prepared to return it to its rightful owner. He reflected on the strange twists of fate that led to the discovery, noting, “I guess it was there for a reason.”
Elliot was overjoyed upon learning about the return of his cherished jersey, describing the moment as feeling like Christmas had come early. This experience has also encouraged collectors and fans to reach out to him, sparking hope that more jerseys from the stolen collection could potentially be found. Elliot is particularly keen to recover these items not only for himself but for the joy it would bring his children.
This story highlights the strong connections that sports memorabilia can hold and serves as a reminder of the collaborative efforts within communities to support one another in times of need. It reflects a hopeful outlook, as Elliot remains optimistic about potentially recovering more of his treasured jerseys.
In summary, Hika Elliot’s journey to reclaim his stolen jerseys has taken a promising turn thanks to the help of a collector, fostering hope for the return of other cherished memorabilia while emphasizing the community’s spirit in supporting those who have faced misfortune.
Leave a comment