Former All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot is on the verge of being reunited with one of his cherished possessions after a difficult ordeal. Earlier this year, upon returning from his time playing in France, Elliot discovered that his storage unit in Hawke’s Bay had been broken into and a box containing a dozen of his jerseys had been stolen. These jerseys held not only aesthetic value but immense sentimental significance to Elliot, including pieces from teams such as the Māori All Blacks, and jerseys from competitions in which he participated like the 2005 NPC final with Hawke’s Bay.
The emotional toll was significant for Elliot, as he expressed, “The sentimental value of those jerseys, you can’t put a dollar price on that.” Realizing that he had lost many memories encapsulated within those jerseys was upsetting for him.
In his quest to recover the stolen items, Elliot reached out to several collectors and even attempted to connect with a seller on Facebook Marketplace who had posted one of his jerseys for sale. Unfortunately, he did not receive a response from the seller. Fortunately, help arrived in the form of Dylan Booth, an enthusiastic collector based on the Gold Coast, who had spotted the jersey and was determined to assist Elliot in his search.
Booth, who operates an Instagram account dedicated to rugby memorabilia, stumbled across the jersey at a vintage market after chance led him to browse through a store that day. Recognizing its rarity and its connection to Elliot, he purchased the jersey for $120, expressing his delight at being able to return it to its rightful owner.
This inspiring reunion has been a beacon of hope for Elliot, who described the moment as feeling like Christmas had come early. He expressed gratitude for Booth’s support and is now optimistic about the possibility of recovering his other jerseys. Elliot is particularly excited for his son, believing that having these jerseys will create lasting memories for him too.
This story highlights the importance of community support and the deep emotional connections individuals can form with their possessions. It also serves as a reminder that sometimes lost treasures can find their way back, creating moments of joy and nostalgia.
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