Rugby jersey [1884 replica]

This rugby jersey is a replica of those worn by the first sports team to bear the mantle 'New Zealand team'. The New Zealanders toured New South Wales, Australia in 1884, and won most of their games. They wore a dark blue jersey with gold fern leaf on the left breast, with white knickerbockers and black stockings. There are no original jerseys left in the world, except for one embroidered gold fern in the collection of the New Zealand Rugby Museum at Te Manawa, Palmerston North.

This replica is the result of a research project carried out by the Fashion School at Massey University in partnership with the Rugby Museum. The project was essentially a conservation exercise to 'rest' the Museum's original 1905 and 1924 jerseys from permanent display, and to create an approximate copy of the 1884 jersey.

The replica project is authentic in every approach. Sizing is based on the stature of 1905 All Black Jimmy Hunter. The same materials were used as in the original jerseys; primarily lambs' wool. The same manufacturer was involved - Manawatu Knitting Mills Ltd - and the same manufacturing techniques (including using old knitting machinery) were used to obtain the correct look and finish to the garments. The gold fern was hand embroidered by Robertina Downes based on the surviving fern at the Rugby Museum.