Argentina player's Rugby World Cup jerseys stolen

This black England jersey was stolen from the flat where Juan Manuel Leguizamon's brother was staying. Photo / Supplied

An Argentina player is "absolutely gutted" after jerseys he swapped with two opposition teams after their matches were stolen in Wellington.

Following the Pumas' matches against England and Romania, Juan Manuel Leguizamon took part in the tradition of jersey swapping with the other teams' players.

The Pumas' number 7 gave the two jerseys, including one of England's controversial black strips, to his brother in Wellington on Sunday so he could take them back to Argentina with him.

But that night, while Argentina was playing Scotland at Wellington Stadium, the jerseys were stolen from the flat his brother was staying in.

Leguizamon's brother, Gonzalo, is living with Aucklander Lucy Bullock during the tournament, but on Sunday night the pair were staying at a flat in Te Aro with one of Miss Bullock's friends.

When they got back at 4am after celebrating the Pumas' win, they learned the flat had been broken into and the two jerseys were stolen along with other clothes and make-up.

"The [jerseys are] something that can't be replaced and they're something that is quite sentimental too," Miss Bullock told the Herald.

Miss Bullock, 22, met Mr Leguizamon when she lived in Argentina for a year and she became close to him and the Argentina player.

She said one of the girls who lives at the flat saw two girls leaving the house on Watson St about 9pm who were acting suspiciously.

"She saw two little girls hanging out by the house next-door with a big bag ... They were lurking about and looking really weird and had odd body language," she said.

"They just took mostly girls' clothes, but the bag the jerseys were in was taken as well - I don't think they knew what they were taking, those jerseys can't be replaced."

The jerseys were those of England's number 6, Tom Croft, and Romania's number 8, Daniel Carpo.

The theft was reported to the Wellington police station, but Miss Bullock also wanted to publicise the story in case a guilty conscience led to the jerseys' return. Miss Bullock said she, Mr Leguizamon and his brother wanted to offer a reward for the jerseys' safe return.

"This is Argentina's second World Cup and it just sucks that these were taken by two little girls who don't even know the value of it."

Mr Leguizamon sent his brother a message through Facebook that night to let him know that the jerseys were gone. "Juan was absolutely gutted about it and was angry that they were gone - he just wants them back."

The jersey thefts were not a good look for New Zealand and its hospitality towards the visiting international teams, Miss Bullock said.

* If you have the stolen jerseys or know anything about their whereabouts, please contact Wellington police station on (04) 381 2000 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.