Players' jerseys boosts charity

Nikora Kupa, 4, with his dad Richard Kupa and Hurricanes player TJ Perenara. Mr Perenara will be wearing a jersey with Nikora's name on it in tomorrow's game against the Waratahs.

There will be some new names on the field when the Hurricanes play the Waratahs tomorrow including that of 4-year-old Nikora Kupa.

The young rugby fan from Otane will not actually be at Westpac Stadium, but his name will be emblazoned on halfback TJ Perenara's jersey.

Nikora is was one of 23 kids who won a charity initiative developed by BNZ to raise funds for Plunket.

The drive will see the BNZ logo on the front of every jersey worn by New Zealand's five Investec Super Rugby teams in Round 10 swapped for a child's name.

After the match all the jerseys will be sent to the winners to keep as a souvenir.

The treat has been a boon for young Nikora, whose family has had a difficult time during the past year.

His father, Richard Kupa, was diagnosed with testicular cancer a year ago, and had to take six months off work.

Mr Kupa, who has since been found clear of cancer, said he and his son were in Wellington yesterday, meeting the Hurricanes and watching them train.

Nikora had even met Mr Perenara and seen his special jersey being printed.

"He's a really shy kid, but he was loving it - he really enjoyed it," said Mr Kupa.

"He understands on Saturday, TJ will be wearing his shirt. Come Saturday we'll be glued to the TV."

People applied for the initiative by entering a ballot or bidding on rugby jerseys on Trade Me.

This year the Trade Me auctions raised more than $10,000, with the highest Hurricanes bid being for jersey number 11, worn by Julian Savea, at $996.

The money would be donated to Plunket.

Hurricanes commercial manager Leighton Morgan, said Nikora was one of a lucky few.

"Thousands of our fans tried to get these jerseys for the future star in their life, so the 23 kids we've added to our line-up are really lucky."