The Needle tears up over All Black jersey

Greg Inger (back) now owns the jersey of Sir Fred Allen (right). Scott Pollock found it at home. Photo / Supplied

When All Black legend Sir Fred "The Needle" Allen saw his old "Kiwis" rugby jersey for the first time in more than 65 years, a tear came to his eye and he gave it a kiss.

He wore the jersey during the 1945-46 tour by the Second NZ Expeditionary Force's revered rugby team of Britain, Ireland, France and Germany.

After being left forgotten for years, Sir Fred's jersey sold for more than $15,000 on Trade Me in an auction to raise funds for earthquake-shattered Christchurch.

The jersey was donated by Aucklander Scott Pollock who found it on top of the wardrobe in his spare room. An uncle had given it to him.

Richlister businessman Glen Inger, who collects memorabilia, won the jersey auction and got to meet the man himself on Sunday.

Sir Fred, at 91, is the oldest living All Black and the team's only unbeaten coach.

He signed the jersey for Mr Inger and the pair had their photo taken together.

It was the first time Sir Fred had seen his old jersey since he gave it away when he got back from the tour in 1946, friend and biographer Alan Sayers said.

"He was absolutely thrilled to see it again. A tear came to his eye and then he took it out of the plastic and kissed it," Mr Sayers said.

Sir Fred was delighted his jersey had raised $15,050 for Christchurch.

"I was thrilled the jersey raised the amount it did because it is going to such a wonderful cause," he said.

"Absolutely delighted. I couldn't think of a better outcome."

Sir Fred said each man in the team, known as the Kiwis, got a jersey. He gave his to the Pollocks who were close family friends. He used to spend summer holidays at their bach in Mt Maunganui.

Sir Fred said Christchurch was close to his heart as he used to live there.

"I was a Canterbury rep in both rugby and cricket [Brabin Cup] when I was only 20. I have been greatly saddened by the earthquakes and my heart goes out to the people of Christchurch and surrounding towns," he said.

Sir Fred, who now lives in Auckland, distinguished himself as the star of the 2NZEF team during their triumphant tour of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

By 1949 he had played for and captained the All Blacks 29 times but he was renowned for his skill as a motivating coach which won him the nickname The Needle.

As Auckland's selector-coach from 1957 to 1963, Sir Fred led the province to a previously unmatched 26-game defence of the Ranfurly Shield.

He is the only unbeaten coach in All Blacks history without a single defeat in 37 international games.

He is the only person to have been inducted twice into the New Zealand Sporting Hall of Fame - as the country's finest coach and as a member of the army team.

In 2005 he received one of rugby's highest honours when he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in London.