Ex-All Black’s prized rugby jerseys stolen
IT WAS not the way former All Black Leon MacDonald wanted to start his 37th birthday.
He and wife Hayley returned to their home in Blenheim early on Sunday morning to find two teenage boys in the house.
The boys told them they were there to meet someone. They then threatened the couple before running off.
It was only after they left that MacDonald discovered that about 20 of his precious international rugby jerseys were missing from the garage.
They included a 2005 British and Irish Lions jersey, and several All Black ones embroidered with his name as well as the dates of the games. The Lions jersey was the one he prized the most, as the Lions toured only once every 12 years, he said yesterday.
‘‘They’re special – you play them once in a lifetime if you’re lucky.’’
MacDonald scored the winning try against the Lions in the Hamilton test in 2005.
The thefts made him feel sick, he said.
‘‘I was gutted. Some of them will never be replaced . . . there’s a story behind every one.’’
The jerseys, which also included ones from Australia, South Africa, England, France and Italy, were in a black carrier bag stolen from the garage.
Two other bags containing more jerseys were not touched. The stolen bag was later found, almost empty, in bushes lining the driveway. About
‘They’re special – you play them once in a lifetime if you’re lucky.’
Leon MacDonald on his 2005 Lions jersey
15 jerseys were missing.
MacDonald, who played 56 tests for the All Blacks between 2000 and 2008, turned 37 on Sunday, and celebrated with a barbecue later in the day.
Acting Senior Sergeant Julian Lewis said the theft was not thought to be the result of deliberate targeting of MacDonald’s home. Nothing else had been disturbed or stolen. ‘‘We believe it was a random act.’’
One boy was described as white, and thought to have a nose piercing, the other boy was described as part-Maori. MacDonald believed he would be able to recognise them if he saw them again.