More than $10k bid for quake jerseys

Sean Maitland of Canterbury (right) celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the ITM Cup match between Canterbury and Wellington at AMI Stadium in Christchurch today. Photo / Getty Images

One-off rugby jerseys worn in today's Canterbury-Wellington national provincial championship match have raised more than $10,000 so far on Trade Me, with funds from the auction going to the Canterbury earthquake fund.

Canterbury won 37-30 in front of a near-capacity AMI Stadium, where about 38,000 spectators watched for free after the Canterbury Rugby Union threw open the gates as a goodwill gesture to the public.

The jerseys worn by the Canterbury team, numbered 1 to 22, are being auctioned with all proceeds going to Red Cross for the emergency earthquake fund. Each jersey has been embroidered with the name of the player wearing it and signed by him.

The jerseys had attracted bids totalling $10,484 this afternoon. The auction closes on Friday, October 1.

Sonny-Bill Williams' number 22 jersey received the top bid so far of $2,130.

Fundraising efforts are underway to help rebuild the region which was rocked by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake three weeks ago.

- NZPA