Historic rugby jersey missing

THE NEW Zealand Rugby Union is attempting to locate an historic jersey that went missing while the Irish team toured the country in June.

Police in the Bay of Plenty region of New Zealand are investigating the disappearance of the Maori jersey, which dates back to 1910 and belonged to David Small – the hooker on the first ever New Zealand Maori team.

Following local inquiries they have now widened the search and appealed to anyone with information about the missing shirt or who may have seen it to contact them.

The Irish Rugby Football Union said it had not been contacted about the disappearance.

The shirt had been loaned to the New Zealand Rugby Union by Mr Small’s family so it could be displayed during the Maori team’s centenary celebrations in Rotorua, on the north island, on June 18th.

This was the same day a Maori side defeated Ireland 31-28 in a tour match at the Rotorua International Stadium.

Police said the jersey was stolen during a function at the Energy Events Centre in Rotorua.

The jersey is black with a red band and fern logo and was in very fragile condition, police said.