Missing the excitement of the Rugby World Cup? A nationwide Webb Ellis Cup tour that kicked off in Kerikeri on Wednesday will travel the country for two months. The New Zealand Rugby Union says the “Great Rugby Rugby Road Trip” is to thank all the people in towns and cities around the country for the whole 2011 Cup experience and their support of the event.
The Webb Ellis Cup will visit 41 places during the trip, including five locations in Auckland. The Road Trip will feature a custom-built black truck to carry rugby’s prized silverware from Northland to Stewart Island. (No word on whether it’s the replica cup or the original, but it’s ours nonetheless.)
“We’re hoping the tour rekindles the excitement of those magical six weeks and encourages people to keep backing rugby – whether it’s by playing, refereeing, coaching, volunteering, or simply getting along and enjoying a game,” say Steve Tew, NZRU chief executive.
The Road Trip will also showcase New Zealand other prized rugby trophies – the Bledisloe Cup, the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup and the IRB Junior World Championship Trophy. The free public events will allow fans to see the trophies currently held by the All Blacks, Blacks Ferns and the New Zealand Under 20s and Sevens teams. They’ll be taken to 100 schools around the country – Auckland’s lucky school is Takapuna Primary on Saturday February 18 between 10am and 2pm.?? As well as the trophies there’ll be heaps of rugby activities for the family and the chance to win Super Rugby jerseys and one of two all-expenses paid All Blacks weekend Test experiences. Along with the trophies inside the truck there’s a hi-tech photo facility that allows fans to have their photos taken “with” Richie McCaw.
“The support for rugby comes from all pockets of New Zealand, so to be able to share the success of, not only our RWC 2011 winning side, but our other successful teams with our stadium of four million is fantastic,” says Mr Tew.
