Prized possession off to Italy
New Zealand Rugby Museum director Stephen Berg is taking one of its most prized possessions to display in Italy.
Berg leaves for Rome this week and he’s taking a New Zealand rugby memento, the Jimmy Hunter 1905 All Blacks jersey, to display for a week as part of a special exhibition hosted by Fango E Sudore – Il Museo del Rugby.
Hunter was part of the famous Originals, who toured the United Kingdom in 1905. The Taranaki back scored 44 tries in 36 games and later captained the All Blacks in 1908.
The museum bought the jersey from Hunter’s family in 2005 and Berg said it was the holy grail he was taking to display.
‘‘This is one of the rare XV, one of the precious treasured items. It’s no easy decision.
‘‘A while ago the museum made a decision that we wanted to progress and be a national and international museum. The best way to do that is to take advantage of national and international opportunities.’’
It will be exhibited in Italy for a week either side of the All Blacks test match against Italy in Rome on November 25.
The English translation of the museum is the Museum of Rugby, Mud and Sweat and it is run by Corrado Mattoccia.
Mattoccia has an enormous collection of memorabilia and jerseys, and supports the game in Italy.
Berg said it was a brave move to take the Hunter jersey over.
‘‘It’s really exciting for Palmerston North. Again this is one of the amazing things we’re able to do. Little old Palmy, who would have thought?’’
Berg has a dedicated carry-on bag for the precious cargo.