All Blacks halfback TJ Perenara will be auctioning off a Test jersey in support of his friend, Porirua kickboxer Ra Radden, who suffered a serious spinal injury during a Muay Thai fight on Saturday.
Radden, 26, was fighting for the light middleweight title against Gene Elbourne at the Honour 15 Muay Thai tournament at the Porirua Kennel Club.
Perenara has made a donation with his family to Radden's Givealittle page and put up his Test jersey for auction today on TradeMe .
"I am auctioning off my test jersey to raise additional funds to go towards supporting Ra and his whanau," Perenara posted on his social media.
"The journey ahead will be difficult, but any support we can provide will help.
"The jersey is from the All Blacks vs Argentina test match on 30 September 2017 in Buenos Aires. The winner of the auction can decide whether or not they would like me to sign it also."
Family spokesperson Mike Angove told the NZ Herald that Radden and Elbourne both hit the canvas during a reverse twist.
"Both fighters fell heavily with Ra on the bottom and Ra's head was on a really unfortunate angle and he sustained a neck injury," said Angove.
Redden received emergency surgery at Wellington Hospital to relieve pressure on his spinal cord after he fractured and twisted one of his vertebrae.
The Porirua fighter was flown to Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch for specialised care.
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