England Rugby team set sail in Auckland

The England Rugby team swapped tackling for tacking [yesterday] during a sailing race on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. The 30-man squad and coaching team blew-off their jetlag with a match racing duel on SailNZ’s ex-America’s Cup yachts NZL41 and NZL68. With the team split across both boats they battled it out against the picturesque backdrop of Rangitoto island.

England captain Lewis Moody was among those who raved about the experience. “It was great to do something totally different and to see the skyline of Auckland from the water – I had no idea it was such a stunning city,” he says.

Coach Martin Johnson added that the sailing trip was a great way to begin the squad’s time in New Zealand for Rugby World Cup 2011. “It’s going to be an intense six weeks and it’s good for the team to have some fun and relaxation before the tournament begins,” he says.

Sailing an America’s Cup yacht is one of Auckland’s iconic tourism activities, which has been enjoyed by other famous Englishmen including Prince William and Sir Richard Branson. Auckland is affectionately known as the City of Sails and has the highest boat ownership per capita in the world.

The England team will be back in Auckland to take on Scotland at Eden Park on 1 October.