Six of the biggest and most coveted prizes in international rugby were on show at Lansdowne Park yesterday, all but one with New Zealand engraved as the latest winners.
The Webb Ellis Cup, Tri-Nations Cup, Bledisloe Cup, Hillary Shield, IRB Junior World Championship trophy and the IRB Women's World Cup were the focal point of many photos and excitement among families who visited the park in Blenheim yesterday.
New Zealand currently holds all the silverware except the Webb Ellis Cup which will be contested this year when the Rugby World Cup begins at Eden Park in Auckland on September 9.
NZRU general manager of community rugby and provincial unions, Brent `Buck' Anderson, said although he would like to see the All Blacks holding the Webb Ellis Cup after the final on October 23, they'll need to work for it.
The trophies are part of a nationwide tour of all provinces promoting registration for the upcoming junior rugby season.
The Tasman region was the first to see the cups on display, with Nelson on Saturday and Marlborough yesterday, before they are moved on to Westport today and Hokitika tomorrow.
Children also got an opportunity to practise their passing skills with activities aimed at improving their accuracy.
Mr Anderson said getting all the trophies in one place was "pretty special" and he did not know when all would be in one place again.
Blenheim father Mark Witehira brought son Toby, 7, along to see the trophies to give him a better idea of what the teams were vying for.
"He's [Toby] seen a few test matches, but now hopefully he'll know what they're playing for," he said. Toby, who is registered to play in the under-8s league, was most impressed with the Bledisloe Cup because it was the biggest.
The Russian rugby team will be based in Blenheim during their RWC campaign.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
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