Rugby World Cup 2019: Fiji star Sam Matavesi as kit and memorabilia stolen on return to London

Fijian hooker has appealed for help in retrieving his belongings after kit, boots, his World Cup medal and personal memorabilia was stolen from his car overnight in a Shoreditch car park

Fijiian star Sam Matavesi has issued a plea for help after having all of his Rugby World Cup kit stolen from his car upon his return to London.

The Cornish Pirates hooker featured for Fiji in all four of their World Cup games in Japan, starting the games against Australia and Wales, before going out of the competition after finishing third in Pool D.

But the 27-year-old issued a statement on his Facebook page to reveal that his car was broken in to after leaving it overnight in a Shoreditch car park, with his World Cup medal, kit and memorabilia stolen in the process.

Matavesi wrote: "After arriving from Japan I stayed the evening in London.

"We stayed in Shoreditch and parked the car overnight at NCP Finsbury Square car park. When we returned the following day our car had been burgled and my World Cup kit bags had been stolen from it.

"The bags contained three Fiji World Cup jerseys, plus other signed Fiji World Cup shirts, my World Cup cap and presentation medal, rugby kit, boots, trainers, gym shoes and other personal memorabilia.”

The former Toulouse forward, whose brother Josh plays for Premiership side Newcastle Falcons and also featured at the World Cup, has urged anyone who sees his kit for sale or available to contact him in the hope of getting it back.

"Could you please share this and look out for any shirts/kit/boots etc that come up online, or if you hear or see anything around the area,” he added. "Thanks in advance, Sam."

The robbery is particularly disappointing given the safety that players experienced in Japan, with locals able to leave their possessions in public without fear of theft, such is the country’s culture.