Rugby World Cup 2011 Roadshow and Webb Ellis Cup in the Bay of Plenty

See Rugby Unions’ most coveted trophy, the legendary Webb Ellis Cup, and get a sneak peek at some of the REAL New Zealand Festival events heading our way when the Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) Roadshow comes to Rotorua on Thursday 21 July and to Tauranga on Friday 22 July.

The Roadshow is accompanied by TV ONE Breakfast Show presenter Tamati Coffey who will broadcast live from each location.

Rugby NZ 2011 Chief Executive Martin Snedden is touring with the Roadshow and will be available for interviews in both locations. International Rugby Board Chief Executive and Secretary General Mike Miller will be at Rotorua and will be also be available for interviews.

The tour will be in: 

Rotorua on Thursday 21 July 2011 at Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens. 6.30am to 9.30am where the city will adopt Russia as its second team. As part of the REAL New Zealand Festival, Rotorua will also be showcasing some of the exciting events that will take place during the tournament. These events include GLOBALFest, Rotorua Entertains, Bay Proud – A century of Bay of Plenty Rugby and WOW Icons on Tour.

Tauranga 22 July 2011 at The Strand, 6.30am to 9.30am will have a sneak peek at the glamorous Tarnished Frocks and Divas costumes. Images from the Arts Festival's photographic exhibition ‘Grace’, featuring stunning photos of rugby players and dancers will also be at The Strand.

Arriving in a RWC 2011 custom-designed truck the Roadshow features interactive displays and videos on RWC history and legends.

The public will be able to get their photo taken with the Webb Ellis Cup and win or buy RWC 2011 tickets.

Two RWC 2011 match tickets will be up for grabs for the two best dressed fans at each location.

The public will also get a chance to meet Land Rover ambassador Alan Whetton, a proud member of the inaugural RWC winning team in 1987, and enter in the draw to win double tickets to a semi-final match of RWC 2011 courtesy of Land Rover.

Kids can enter to win the opportunity to deliver the official match ball onto the pitch and win two tickets to watch in the DHL section of the Roadshow truck.

ANZ is looking for 7-13 year old boys and girls from around the country to be ANZ Future Captains and stand shoulder to shoulder with the team captain while leading players onto the field at the 48 matches. Parents can visit the ANZ Captains' Corner inside the RWC 2011 Roadshow truck to enter their children into the competition.

The House of Travel team will be snapping pictures of Kiwis displaying their best show of support, uploading them to the Fan Face website, www.hotfanfaces.co.nz and inviting New Zealand to vote for their favourites. The top ten pictures will be judged by the HOT Rugby team, with the top three winning an amazing travel prize.