Kiwi wins first tickets to cup final

Two lucky New Zealanders are the first people in the world to win tickets to the Rugby World Cup 2011 final at Eden Park.

Heineken gave away the tickets at a function in Wellington today to announce its Worldwide Partnership and Official Beer status of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand.

More than a thousand Wellingtonians flocked to the Wellington Regional Stadium lured by the opportunity to win the first two tickets to the final.

Brendan Bartlett, a Wellingtonian originally from Gisborne, and wife Monica are the two lucky Kiwis who will be sitting in the grandstand on October 23, 2011 in Auckland.

“I’m shocked, I’m sure I’m going to wake up and it’s all a dream,” he said.

Brian Blake, managing director Heineken New Zealand, says Heineken is committed to bringing a world class event to New Zealand and wanted to ensure a couple of Kiwis were the first to get ringside seats.

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to present the first two finals tickets to a New Zealander. And we promise that over the next 905 days until the cup is presented, Heineken will be providing lots more opportunities for Kiwis to get to the games.

“The Rugby World Cup brings the world’s best players to New Zealand and we’re providing the world’s best beer to help everyone enjoy the occasion.”

It was estimated that 4.2 billion people watched the Rugby World Cup 2007 tournament and organisers are expecting the figure to increase in 2011.

The Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand begins on September 10. Twenty teams will compete in four pools across 13 New Zealand venues to find find out who will lift the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2011.

About Heineken:
Heineken is the number one premium European beer in New Zealand.
Sold in almost every country in the world, it’s the biggest selling premium lager in the world.
Heineken has been the official beer of the Rugby World Cup for 1995, 2003, 2007 and now 2011.
More than 30 per cent of Heineken’s global volume is consumed in the major rugby playing nations.
Heineken also been a long-time support of the Heineken Cup
Additional information on Heineken is available at www.heineken.com