Rugby: Former All Black has jersey collection stolen in home burglary

All Blacks replacement Leon MacDonald releases a pass when he is stopped by the England defence during the first rugby test between New Zealand and England played at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday

Former All Black Leon MacDonald has had 15 valuable international rugby jerseys stolen including some of his own test jerseys when his house was burgled yesterday morning.

The jerseys are easily identifiable with game dates embroidered into them. Some are shirts MacDonald swapped with players from other opposing teams.

MacDonald, now an ITM Cup assistant coach with Tasman, confronted and was reportedly verbally threatened by the offenders on his property before they escaped with their haul.

The jerseys were stored in his garage adjoining his house and their disappearance was not noticed until late yesterday.

Marlborough Acting Senior Sergeant Julian Lewis told TVNZ it was possible the offenders had not realised the sentimental value of the jerseys.

"Leon's put in a lot of hard work earning these jerseys and representing our country and we'd dearly love to be able to return them to him," Sergeant Lewis said.

"Nobody else has the right to have these jerseys and if anyone is offered one I'd urge them to do the right thing and call police."

The two offenders are described as teenagers, one Caucasian with a possible nose piercing and one part Maori.