Rwc Trophy Tour Kicks Off In Japan
The Webb Ellis Cup has kicked off its worldwide tour with a stop in Japan, the first of 15 countries that the coveted prize will visit over the next 12 months in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted in England and Cardiff.
As part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour, the Webb Ellis Cup spent five days visiting communities around the city allowing people to catch a glimpse of it.
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The Trophy visited Keio University, the site that rugby was first played in Japan, and the Minato Rugby School. The Webb Ellis Cup also visited iconic locations around the city such as Asakusa Old Temple, the sumo at Ryogoku Kokugikan and Tokyo Tower.
The Webb Ellis Cup also made an appearance prior to the decisive Asian 5 Nations 2014 qualifier between Japan and Hong Kong, as over 1,500 fans queued around the National Stadium to have their moment with it.
Japan later secured the victory they needed to claim the Asia 1 spot at the Rugby World Cup 2015, in what was the last event at the stadium before it is closed and rebuilt in time for Rugby World Cup 2019.
England Rugby 2015 chief executive, Debbie Jevans, who was in Tokyo for the visit of the Webb Ellis Cup, said: ‘Our aim for the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour is to excite audiences around the world to be part of a celebration of Rugby and I was overwhelmed with the enthusiasm we witnessed for the Game in Japan. I would like to congratulate Japan on their successful qualification for Rugby World Cup 2015 and I look forward to welcoming them to England next year. Now the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour looks forward to Australia and Fiji at the end of June.’
The Webb Ellis Cup arrived in Tokyo via DHL’s aviation network and then journeyed out to Nemba village in Yamanashi, past Mount Fuji, as part of Land Rover’s Least Driven Path activity.
Magnus Hansson, CEO Jaguar Land Rover Japan, commented: ‘Land Rover has a proud heritage within Rugby around the world and we are committed to raising awareness and excitement for next year’s Tournament through our support for the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.’
‘By taking the Webb Ellis Cup to places it had never been before and introducing more Japanese youngsters to the sport through our Least Driven Path activity, we have hopefully helped inspire even more people to get behind Japan at Rugby World Cup 2015.’
During the visit to Tokyo, DHL, Official Logistics Partner for Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted its first ‘Rugby v the World’ challenge as former Wales international, Shane Williams, took on sumo wrestler G. Nara” Naranbat in a number of challenges including drop kicking, sumo wrestling and tug of war.
Taketo Yamakawa, President and Representative Director of DHL Express Japan added: ‘We are truly honored not only to have completed the first leg of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour in success with DHL’s extensive aviation network, but also to have participated in the celebration of the Japan national team qualifying for Rugby World Cup 2015.’
