Edwards' Barbarians jersey tipped to net world record auction fee

The Barbarians jersey worn by Gareth Edwards when he scored rugby union’s widely-acclaimed greatest try is to be sold at auction - and it could set a world record. Edwards finished off a spectacular seven-man move started by a side-steeping Phil Bennett deep inside his own half during the Barbarians’ 23-11 victory over New Zealand 50 years ago.

Edwards’ black and white-hooped number nine shirt from that day in Cardiff is now the centrepiece of his jersey collection that will go under the hammer of Penarth-based Rogers Jones Auctioneers and Valuers next month. With an estimate of £150,000/£200,000, the jersey is among 39 lots that could conceivably generate a total fund of more than £400,000.

Dave Gallaher was captain of the Original All Blacks, the first New Zealand representative team to tour the British Isles, in 1905/06, when their only defeat in 35 games was a controversial 3-0 loss to Wales. He was killed during the First World War in 1917, aged 43, in the Battle of Passchendaele.

Gallaher’s New Zealand jersey during that 05/06 trip was sold eight years ago for £180,000 by Rogers Jones. It is currently the highest price paid at auction in the United Kingdom for an item of sporting clothing and a world record for a rugby jersey.

“Since then, we have sold many rugby jerseys, caps and an important rugby union rule book, and many of these rugby antiques have commanded thousands of pounds,” said auctioneer Ben Rogers Jones. “The highest prices have been for the match-worn jerseys where we are able to determine the player, and the match the jersey was played in.

“The more notorious the match, the more famous the player or famous the team then the higher the prices. Also, the age of the jersey can contribute hugely to the final price. Since then [the Gallaher jersey auction], I have been asked whether another jersey will come close or exceed that. Gareth Edwards’ Barbarians jersey was my answer from the start.

“Our spines still tingle when we hear Cliff Morgan’s legendary commentary (of Edwards’ try), and all of us have those pangs of nostalgia. Sport is powerful, it stirs emotions and we should never underestimate it.”

Other lots include one of Edwards’ British and Irish Lions jerseys from the 1974 South Africa tour, which has an estimate of £20,000/£25,000, various Wales shirts and jerseys from when he represented teams like a Combined England/Wales XV, East Wales, and a President’s XV.

Jerseys worn by other players also feature, notably Sid Going’s 1969 All Blacks top against Wales, Gerald Davies’ 1971 Lions shirt worn in New Zealand and a New Zealand Barbarians jersey once filled by Colin Meads.

Outside of rugby, there are a collection of t-shirts won by Edwards during the 1976 BBC Superstars competition when he finished fourth in an event won by Olympic hurdler David Hemery. Edwards’ collection will go under the hammer at Cardiff Auction House on Friday, February 24.