The Star: March 21, 2024

The Star Thursday March 21 2024
10
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Tana and the Roxy handbag: Most
IT WAS a foggy night, and not
just during the 2006 Super Rugby
final at Jade Stadium.
So it is probably little surprise
there is a lack of clarity concerning
the whereabouts of New
Zealand’s most infamous, and
arguably overpriced, handbag.
The fashion accessory Tana
Umaga used to whack Hurricanes
teammate Chris Masoe
repeatedly over the head in the
Jolly Poacher bar on Victoria St
retains iconic status among the
25 quirkiest items sold on Trade
Me, New Zealand’s largest online
auction and classifieds website.
Valued at $30, the Roxybranded
handbag attracted a
record 1,072,893 views before Susie45
– Wanganui woman Susie
Langmaid – paid $22,750 for the
most bizarre souvenir from that
season’s fog-bound spectacle.
Nicole Davis listed the handbag
for sale after it was used by
Umaga to reprimand Masoe after
the loose forward punched a
friend of hers he accused of tripping
him up in the bar around
6am, as the Hurricanes drowned
their sorrows after losing 19-12 to
the Crusaders.
“At the moment I’m thinking
it’s pretty crazy, it’s right up there.
I thought I would get $600. I’m
thinking it’s an insane amount of
money,” Davies told media after
the auction.
“I’ve definitely been lucky, it’s
quite like winning Lotto.”
Her windfall more than covered
the fact Umaga struck Masoe
with such force a cellphone
inside the handbag broke.
The post-match wake was
chastening for Masoe, who was
ridiculed by bar patrons after
tearing up following Umaga’s
punishment, and then fined
$3000 by the New Zealand Rugby
Union. Umaga escaped censure.
Psychologist Sara Chatwin said
the ‘weirdo factor’ along with
Umaga’s standing as a national
icon were behind people’s desire
to own the handbag.
“Tana was, and still is, a
national hero. He’s an absolute
gem, and all of a sudden he’s gone
from rugby captain to Dame
Edna wannabe,” Chatwin said,
BANG ON: Sue Langmaid, the successful bidder on the TradeMe auction for the handbag used by Tana Umaga to hit
Chris Masoe at the Jolly Poacher, recreates the infamous scene with her partner Aaron Crapp. PHOTO: NZ HERALD
The
Cardborghini
Aventador
sold for
$10,420 in
2021.
Chris Masoe
(right)
and Tana
Umaga were
on better
terms as the
Wellington
captain was
carried off
Westpac
Stadium
after his
100th and
final match
for the
province in
2007. Fellow
All Black
Ma’a Nonu
also gave
Umaga a lift.
PHOTO:
GETTY
explaining the item’s appeal
while referencing the character
created by late Australian comedian
Barry Humphries.
As Trade Me released its list to
coincide with the site’s 25th anniversary,
attempts to revisit Langmaid’s
side of the story proved
challenging.
Tracked down to Australia,
possibly the Gold Coast, the only
Susie Langmaid listed on Facebook
did respond to an initial
message from The Star: LOL
. . . well you are a blast from the
past!!! Yes, it’s me.”
However, subsequent attempts
to secure an interview proved
unsuccessful.
There was also a local
connection to another item
on Trade Me’s greatest hit
list – a cardboard model of a
Lamborghini bought by Dean
Graham, son of late Mainfreight
transport company founder Neil
Graham, for $10,420 in a charity
auction in 2021.
THIS FRIDAY &
SATURDAY
OPEN TO VIEW
10AM TILL 2PM
Immaculate, lovingly
maintained with great
neighbours
A TRUSTED NAME IN RETIREMENT LIVING
Don’t miss the opportunity to discover what makes 1 Beech Lane,
Woodcroft Estate Rolleston’s most desirable home to secure
for your retirement.
•2 double bedrooms•Tiled bathroom & shower •Separate second toilet •Double
garage •North facing •Capital gain •Community gardens •24/7 monitored call
button •Pavilion •Secure environment •Bowling green
For more information call Corinne Blackie on 021 292 1141.
34 KENDON DRIVE LEVI PARK, ROLLESTON
0800 527 252 KARAKAPINES.CO.NZ
Karaka Pines Villages in | Christchurch | Auckland| Rototuna| Hamilton | Tauranga | Rotorua| Waihi Beach