A historical Wallabies jersey from the initial northern hemisphere tour in 1908, which was kept in a wardrobe in Wales for the past 50 years, is being prepared for auction on Thursday. The collection, curated by Charlie Pritchard, a former rugby player from Wales and Newport, includes All Blacks’ (1905) and Springboks’ (1906) jerseys from their maiden northern tours, as well as a 1904 New South Wales jersey. The auction will open for pre-bids online at 8:30 PM Thursday (AEDT) and has already attracted a bid of 4600 GBP or $A8800 for the 1908 Wallabies jersey.
Rugby Australia initially planned to launch a new Australian Rugby Museum but has since put it on the back-burner. The great-grandchildren of Charlie Pritchard are now auctioning off the impressive collection after it spent seven years in the Twickenham museum.
The Wallabies jersey is attracting significant attention and has enhanced the anticipation of the auction. A potential missed opportunity for Rugby Australia to obtain historical artifacts for the Australian Rugby Museum represents a loss for enthusiasts and the country’s rugby legacy.
The size and quality of the jerseys, along with their unique historical significance, underscore the value of their display in public spaces or museums. The auction of these original Test jerseys is anticipated to generate strong public interest and provide an opportunity for new caretakers to appreciate and preserve these valuable artifacts.