New Zealand Rugby Jumper Vintage 1924

Description

An Introduction to New Zealand Rugby Jumpers

Made from Merino Wool, the New Zealand Rugby Jumpers Vintage 1924 is an exceptional quality garment. This features a design that is  inspired by one of the great New Zealand Rugby teams and its star player of the time George Nēpia.

Nēpia played in all 32 matches on the famous 1924–25 ‘Invincibles’ tour. Nēpia played in all their tour games in the British Isles, France and Canada. He is one of New Zealand rugby’s finest ever players.

It was disappointing that despite his obvious ability. Nepia only appeared in five more Test matches over the next five years. He played his final match in the All Black jersey at the age of 25. In total Nēpia scored 99 points in only 46 matches for New Zealand Rugby Union.

Back in 1921, he became a member of East Coast Districts club. And then Hawke’s Bay selected him. They dominated provincial rugby over the next five years. Nēpia played either on the Wing or Inside Centre. But playing for the Southern Māori game he switched to Full Back. This suited his game perfectly. And he was allowed the space and the time with the ball to display his talents.

During the 1924 British tour a journalist wrote: “it is not for me a question of whether Nēpia was the best full back in history. It is a question of which of the others is fit to the laces of his Cotton Oxford boots”.

Left out of Springbok Tour and switch to Rugby League

At the request of Springbok. New Zealand Rugby Union agreed not to select Nēpia due to the apartheid system in place by the South African government for the 1928 tour.

However, in 1935 Nēpia captained the New Zealand Maori team to Australia. He then signed a professional contract to play rugby league in England later that year. He returned home in 1937. And the New Zealand Rugby League Kiwi team selected him. The team gained a memorable victory over Australia by 16 points to 15.

This superb quality jumper is made from 100% Merino Wool, perfect for a winters day out watching your local team or maybe a big International game?

The Ellis Rugby New Zealand Rugby Jumper Vintage 1924 is available in sizes Small to 3XLarge.

As well as the New Zealand Rugby Jumper Vintage 1924, we also offer a New Zealand Rugby T-Shirt Vintage, New Zealand Retro Rugby Shirt Polo or a New Zealand Rugby Shirt Vintage All Blacks.