Rugby World Cup trophy in Auckland Monday

Media Release
15 June 2007

Emirates Airline Trophy Tour for Rugby World Cup 2007 Kicks Off in Auckland on Monday

The most coveted international rugby trophy, the Webb Ellis Cup, will be on show in Auckland on Monday and Tuesday (18 and 19 June), during a historic tour organised by Emirates, the official airline of Rugby World Cup 2007.

And during its visit, it is hoped the cup will be the stimulus for as many as possible of the trophy-winning 1987 New Zealand side to get together.

Emirates is taking the Webb Ellis Cup to those nations that have been successful in winning the coveted trophy, namely England, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

In each of these countries the captain who led his team to victory will host a number of activities that will put rugby at the forefront of people’s minds during the coming months. In Auckland, on June 18, the 1987 captain of the New Zealand team in the winning final, Dr David Kirk, will have the honour.

The cup will be on display when David Kirk hosts a media event on Monday at Eden Park, venue of the historic 1987 New Zealand win as well as venue of the Rugby World Cup 2011. This will be followed by a function for representatives of 20 secondary school rugby teams from the Auckland region, each one representing one of the 20 nations competing in Rugby World Cup 2007. They will be addressed by David Kirk.

The big event of the day will be an evening function at Eden Park, to which a number of rugby figures have been invited, including a number of members of the 1987 team. David Kirk will again address the gathering and respond to questions.

On Tuesday, the Cup will be on display for three hours from noon at Auckland International Airport for the public to see, before being flown by Emirates to Sydney on the next leg of its international tour.

Emirates manager New Zealand, Chris Lethbridge, said: “We are delighted that New Zealand is to be the first destination on the Emirates international trophy tour after the Cup leaves England. It is fittingly symbolic in that New Zealand was both the inaugural Rugby World Cup Final venue and Rugby World Cup winner and has been designated the next venue after Rugby World Cup 2007.

“We are also extremely pleased that David Kirk will be playing such a full part in the events on Monday. He is, of course, part of the New Zealand rugby legend as the only Rugby World Cup winning captain so far.”

He added: “New Zealanders have shown tremendous support for Emirates and we are pleased in return to be able to provide this opportunity to showcase the Cup and New Zealand rugby.”

ENDS

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