NPC trophy found

8.30am

The NPC trophy rugby has been found.

Auckland manager team manager Derek Sampson said the father of one of the NPC first division champion Auckland players returned the trophy this morning in non-suspicious circumstances.

"A gentleman knocked on the door and was standing there with the lovely bit of bronze we've been looking for," Sampson told National Radio this morning.

"He's to remain anonymous at this stage, he's the father of one of the players. He was returning it on behalf of his son."

The heavy, nine-year-old trophy Auckland won by beating Waikato 40-28 in the final of the NPC in Hamilton on Saturday was last seen being unloaded from the team bus at 1am on Sunday.

It was put with other gear in their clubhouse in the ASB Stand at Eden Park.

Sampson could not say how it ended up at the player's house.

"I'm just going to say that the player was called away on other duties. And after the breaking news yesterday his family realised that this thing everyone was looking for was in their lounge."

When pushed further on the identity of the player, Sampson responded: "It was either a forward or a back."

- NZPA