A former All Black who put his prized Test cap up for auction on the internet after critics belittled his efforts for the team, has cancelled the sale after receiving support from New Zealand fans.

Stung by assessments on fan forums that have named him among the worst 10 players ever to don an All Blacks' jersey, Shayne Philpott listed his Test cap on Internet auction site TradeMe with a reserve price of $NZ3,000 ($A2,300).

"I have no use for it, or no wish to display it, so better to give it to someone who will make use of it," said the former utility back, who played two Tests for the All Blacks in the 1991 World Cup.

The 45-year-old said his playing days were "not anything I look back at with fond memories, to be honest", explaining the sale was not motivated by money and he just wanted to get rid of the cap.

However, Philpott had a change of heart after being inundated with positive feedback from rugby fans on the website and withdrew his cap from sale on Sunday.

"Thanks for the kind words," he said. "(It's) probably something I shouldn't be doing, so I am withdrawing it from auction. I should probably just learn to deal with the knockers a bit better."

The AllBlacks.com player profile lists Philpott as "a cheerful journeyman" who had exceptional abilities as a utility.

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