Dubai: The Webb Ellis Cup, the tangible symbol of world rugby supremacy, arrived yesterday in Auckland on board an Emirates Airbus A380 superjumbo head of the Rugby World Cup 2011 tournament and was given a traditional welcome by a Maori haka group.
The trophy, carried on its final journey from International Rugby Board (IRB) headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, will now go into lockdown until the final at Eden Park on October 23.
Emirates, a worldwide partner of Rugby World Cup 2011, displayed the Cup en route at special events in London, Dubai and Sydney, before it arrived on a double-decker A380 which was decorated with a Rugby World Cup-themed decal and logo.
Unforgettable
Gary Chapman, President Group Services & dnata, Emirates Group, said: "Today saw a truly unforgettable welcome for the Webb Ellis Cup as it completed its final journey to New Zealand. Emirates is proud to have been able to bring the trophy all the way from London, via Dubai, on our flagship aircraft, the Airbus A380."
Chapman continued: "Part of our sponsorship philosophy is to give sports fans around the world the chance to be part of the action, and we have certainly done that on this journey. Rugby fans have been able to get close to the trophy in London, in our home base of Dubai, in Sydney and we have now delivered it to Auckland for the start of what looks set to be a fascinating tournament."
