Fake shirts hit NZ shores Thursday, January 21, 2010 (06:33:45) New Zealand has been hit by the first wave of counterfeit merchandise ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and is warning Rugby fans to be careful when purchasing merchandise for next year's event. Customs officials seized over 1000 counterfeit t-shirts last month alone as criminals continue to send the merchandise into the country to sell in shops, flea markets and on the internet. "They are purchasing what they believe is the real thing when in fact they are buying an inferior product," Customs official Bill Perry told the NZ Herald. RWC 2011 general manager Ross Young warned that the buying and selling of illegal merchandise will hamper the global development of the game. "The sport relies on the revenue stream generated by the sale of official merchandise and the greed of these counterfeiters significantly undermines this." Young announced himself pleased with the good work being put in by New Zealand customs officials as they look to protect the rights of the World Cup 2011. With thanks to NZ Herald Online Content received from: SARugby.com, http://www.sarugby.com/news