An All Blacks jersey originally worn by the legendary Don Clarke has been found in an attic in Yorkshire, England nearly 19,000km from home.
The No.1 fullback jersey was worn by Clarke in the Twickenham international against England in January 1964 a game in which Clarke helped to secure victory for the All Blacks. It was exchanged with opposite number that day John Willcox, who made 16 appearances for England and was also the leading points scorer on the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 1962.
“I don’t recall too much about the game,” says Willcox. “And when the family re-discovered the shirt in an old trunk full of rugby memorabilia, we initially assumed it was a prop forward’s. The thought occurred that it might have been a swap with Wilson Whineray, because he and I were the captains that day.”
Willcox said after some research he found that the New Zealand side were yet to make the swap from fullbacks wearing the No.1 jersey at the time and that it must be Clarke’s.