Former All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot is set to get back one of his most prized possessions—a jersey he wore during his early rugby career. However, this comeback follows a troubling incident: after returning from playing in France, Elliot found that his storage unit in Hawke’s Bay had been burglarized, leading to the theft of around a dozen jerseys. Among those taken were jerseys from the Māori All Blacks, national age-grade teams, and several prominent international teams, including Ireland and the Wallabies.
Elliot expressed his dismay over the loss, emphasizing that the jerseys carried deep sentimental value and represented significant memories from his career. He actively sought to locate the stolen items, with some collectors reaching out to inform him when they spotted his jerseys for sale online. Notably, one such jersey was from his time with the New Zealand under 16s, a cherished piece from two decades ago that marked his first representative team.
The story took a positive turn thanks to Dylan Booth, a New Zealand jersey collector now living on Australia’s Gold Coast. Booth, who runs an Instagram account dedicated to rugby memorabilia, was one of the first to notice the stolen jersey listed for sale. After facing a temporary dead end when the seller vanished, fortune smiled upon Booth when he serendipitously found the jersey at a vintage market.
Booth purchased the jersey for $120, feeling it was a worthwhile investment since it had special significance for Elliot. He believes the original vendor may have been the same person who attempted to sell the jersey previously online.
When Elliot learned that his jersey had been found, he felt a rush of happiness akin to an early Christmas. He appreciated Booth’s efforts to help him recover the jersey and expressed hope that, with continued support from fellow collectors, he might be able to track down the other stolen items, which would delight his children—especially his son.
This story showcases not only the resilience of athletes in the face of adversity but also the compassion within the rugby community, emphasizing how sports culture can foster connections and shared values beyond the game itself. It highlights the importance of preserving the rich history associated with sporting artifacts and the personal stories they tell.
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