Pirates' senior rugby team is facing the prospect of a nude alternative strip after its playing kit was stolen at the weekend.
The team returned from a win over Crescent Rugby Club in Kaitangata about 11pm on Saturday and parked the club's van outside the clubrooms in John Wilson Ocean Dr.
''Some of the boys came back about 10am the next day and found the [van's] window jemmied open,'' club chairman Conrad Stedman said.
''There were some balls in there and they have been kicked all over the paddock and car park and the playing kit was taken.''
He estimated the cost of the more than 30 stolen jerseys would be at least $2500. That did not include the cost of replacing the stolen shorts and socks.