Emirates bring the Rugby World Cup’s Webb Ellis Trophy to Australia

The Webb Ellis Cup, the official Rugby World Cup trophy, was in Sydney yesterday after arriving on an Emirates flight to Australia under tight security as part of the Rugby World Cup 2007 Emirates Airline Trophy Tour, with former Australian Captain, Nick Farr-Jones, showcasing the trophy at various events in Sydney.

Pictured right: Former Australian Rugby Captain, Nick Farr-Jones, showcases the Webb Ellis Cup, the official Rugby World Cup trophy, in Sydney as part of the Rugby World Cup 2007 Emirates Airline Trophy Tour.

He is joined by Emirates NSW and ACT Sales Manager, Tim Harrowell  and Emirates flight crew Anya Chapman and Narmi Manalang

Emirates, the Official Airline of the Rugby World Cup 2007, is currently touring the Webb Ellis Cup to nations that have been successful in winning the coveted trophy, including England, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Nick Farr-Jones captained Australia to win the Rugby World Cup against England in 1991 and now acts as an ambassador for the game.

His involvement with the Rugby World Cup 2007 Emirates Airline Trophy Tour is just one event designed to give Australians the chance to view the trophy up close and see what the nation will be shouting for come September 8th when Australia kicks off their Rugby World Cup 2007 campaign in France.

Stephen Pearse, Vice President Commercial Australia, Emirates said: “Our partnership with Rugby World Cup 2007 is testament to Emirates’ commitment to first-class sporting events, adding, “We’ve had a fantastic time flying the Webb Ellis Cup to the UK and New Zealand, helping to excite people about the world’s most prestigious rugby tournament, and we are pleased to welcome the Trophy to Australia, one of the greatest rugby nations in the world.”

Dr Syd Millar, Chairman of the International Rugby Board (IRB) said: “The IRB are thrilled to have Emirates Airline onboard as a sponsor for Rugby World Cup 2007”, adding, “The world tour involving the Webb Ellis Cup is a fantastic idea and a great way to further heighten excitement ahead of this year’s tournament.”

“We look forward to welcoming many rugby fans from around the globe and are confident that this year’s tournament will be the most successful Rugby World Cup to date.”

The Webb Ellis Cup, made of gilt silver, is the Holy Grail for the rugby world and is named after a student of England’s Rugby School, William Webb Ellis, who English authorities claim picked up a soccer ball and ran with it in 1823.

The International Rugby Board commissioned the Webb Ellis Cup for the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987.

Emirates has an impressive history and strong affiliation with rugby and as well as Rugby World Cup 2007, Emirates sponsors the IRB Elite Referee Panel, the Dubai 7s since 1986, sevens tournaments around the world in London, Edinburgh and South Africa, as well as shirt sponsorship of the England and Samoa sevens teams.

Dubai was recently announced as the host country of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 of which Emirates will be the title sponsor. In Australia, Emirates is the sponsor of Emirates Western Force.

Australia is the only country to have won the Cup twice. New Zealand and South Africa have each won the Webb Ellis Cup once and recently in the Rugby World Cup 2003, England added it to its cabinet.

The Webb Ellis Cup has already flown Emirates to London and Auckland as part of the tour, and will be departing Sydney for Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Johannesburg in South Africa in the coming week.

Report by The Mole