Maori All-Black jersey presented to Foley family takes pride of place alongside Jonah Lomu jersey

The family of late Munster and Ireland rugby stalwart Anthony Foley have revealed that the Maori All-Blacks jersey which was presented to his sons on Friday will share pride of place alongside that of another of the sport’s heroes, Jonah Lomu.

Jonah Lomu splits the defence of David Wallace and Anthony Foley during the All Blacks’ 40-29 win over Ireland in 2001. Fifteen years later, Ireland would beat New Zealand by the same score

And by twist of fate, while the late New Zealand legend was better known as a winger, the schoolboy jersey already on display on the Foleys’ wall is actually a number 8, Foley’s position.

In a post on the Axel Foley Memorial Facebook page on Sunday, the family said that Foley had “collected more jerseys in his career than you could shake a stick at”.

“One other jersey, in this week of all weeks and in this very special month of remembering, shares pride of place in the Foley home, side by side with the special Maori All Black jersey we now have,” the family wrote. “That is a very, very special No. 8. Not Anthony’s but perhaps the jersey of the greatest All Black ever — Jonah Lomu.

“You see, Anthony’s first ever game against New Zealand was when Ireland schoolboys clashed with their All Black counterparts. Ironically, Anthony and Jonah both wore No. 8 that day. Clearly a number very strong in our lives right now.

What a tribute from The Maori @AllBlacks as they remember Anthony Foley before the Haka #HistoryInTheMaking #MUNvMAB https://t.co/dOCCtsjDbL

— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 11, 2016

“So today we lit a candle in front of the very special jersey presented to the boys on Friday night and, on the third Sunday of our #8masses4no8 campaign, dedicated it to the memory of Jonah Lomu, All Black legend. RIP.”

Lomu died suddenly in November 2015, almost a year to the day before Ireland’s men’s team clinched a historic first victory in 111 years over New Zealand.

Anthony’s son, 11-year-old Tony launched the Facebook page last month asking the public to attend eight Masses over eight Sundays in the run-up to Christmas, as he wanted to pay a special tribute to his much loved Dad.

His father died aged just 42 at the team hotel in Paris on Sunday, October 16, as Munster prepared for a European clash with Racing 92. An autopsy found he died from acute pulmonary oedema caused by a heart rhythm disorder.

The Maori All Blacks jersey given to Anthony Foley’s sons.

The Foleys’ post added: “We dedicated it also to his family, for whom this November will be a very, very difficult one as it marks the first anniversary of Jonah’s passing. That anniversary falls on Friday next, November 18th.

“Little could anyone have thought this night 12 months ago that a year on Anthony and Jonah would have passed over to the other side.

“But forgive us if we think of them being together, sharing their stories and smiling down on us all, perhaps none too pleased about all the fuss. No doubt jostling also about next weekend’s game!!”

Of the Maori All-Blacks jersey presented to the family ahead of last Friday’s match with Munster, the family said: “This one — collected in his honour by Tony and Dan on Friday night following a gesture by the Maori All Blacks that warmed our hearts in a way we could not describe — we are sure he would have it right up there among his favourites. Perhaps now his favourite.

Jonah Lomu splits the defence of David Wallace and Anthony Foley during the All Blacks’ 40-29 win over Ireland in 2001. Fifteen years later, Ireland would beat New Zealand by the same score

“It was an incredible tribute and gesture by a great rugby people; a great people. We will never forget it and are so, so thankful.

“As hard as this time is, we are very grateful for many things, particularly the support of everyone. But also the sense that this campaign may in some way be helping with a greater remembering this November and in the run up to Christmas of loved ones gone before us, as many of you have told us in your kind messages.”