Webb Ellis Cup Completes Madagascar Leg
The Webb Ellis Cup has completed the fourth leg of its international Trophy Tour, taking in the sights of Madagascar, while also coinciding with the Rugby World Cup 2015 qualifier for Africa 1 that saw Namibia confirm their place in Pool C alongside New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga, and Georgia for next year’s tournament in England.
During a three day visit to the island Land Rover’s ‘Least Driven Path’ took the Webb Ellis Cup to places it has never been, journeying out of Antananarivo to Lemurs Park before journeying deeper into the wild Madagascan terrain to the rural community of Antongona.
- Check out the round-up of the Madagascar leg of the tour at Sport Industry TV
Timothy Smart, British ambassador to Madagascar, said: ‘I remember back in 1991 in the run up to the last Rugby World Cup in England, the Webb Ellis Cup came round to my school and what a great privilege it was. For it to come to Madagascar and show that Madagascar is making its mark on the world scene is incredible.’
Oregan Hoskins, vice-chairman of the IRB, commented: ‘I think when all these children grow up one day and look back on it and tell stories about how they stood next to the Webb Ellis Cup, the real Webb Ellis Cup that is going to be played for in England next year, it’s just a dream come true for them and to have the Webb Ellis Cup on this wonderful world tour is a fantastic gesture.’
Mark Cameron, Jaguar Land Rover brand experience director, added: ‘We at Land Rover are delighted that as part of the Least Driven Path activity the iconic Webb Ellis Cup has been transported somewhere it has never been before, particularly in a country like Madagascar which is fast developing as a Rugby playing nation. The passion shown for the game, even in the most remote areas, is remarkable and we aim to continue to build on that passion around the world over the next 12 months.’
Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 and a Presenting Partner of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.
