Match Ball Delivery: Meet Jacob from New Zealand

Jacob has been a Rugby fanatic since the age six. The 13-year-old loves the sport – the physicality, the tackling. An in just a few days this young Kiwi will travel to the opposite end of the earth for the experience of a lifetime: leading his beloved All Blacks on to the field and delivering the official match ball before New Zealand plays its quarter final match on October 17 at Millennium Stadium!

DHL has searched the globe to bring 48 children from 42 countries to the UK for one unforgettable experience – to deliver the match ball to a Rugby World Cup 2015 game. This is the story of Jacob from New Zealand.

Watch Jacob tell about the moment his dad broke the news to him – he’s going to England to as DHL’s Match Ball Delivery Ambassador from New Zealand.

‘Holy Moly’
When his Dad first broke the news Jacob thought it was a joke. He simply couldn’t believe that he’d won.

“When I found out I’d won I thought it was a bit of a joke from dad,” he says. 

Then he got on the phone and his dad broke the news and ensured him it was real.

“I got the full story and I was really excited.”

“When I think about it I go ‘Holy Moly’.”

On October 17, Jacob will deliver the match ball out on the field when New Zealand faces either France or Ireland in the second quarter final match of Rugby World Cup 2015. When asked what he thinks about walking out in front of 75,000 screaming fans at sold-out Millennium Stadium he has only one word: “Frightening.”

Two Rugby fanatics
Jacob fell in love with the sport at an early age, something that was no surprise to family and friends. His Dad, Paul, is a huge Rugby fan. Jacob joined the Stoke Rugby Club at age six and has been fully committed to the game ever since. He went to his first All Blacks game at age seven.

"I always go to my games, go to practice even if I'm hurt. I get up to watch the All Blacks no matter what the time is,” he told www.stuff.co.nz.

“He’s a bit of a Rugby fanatic, as am I,” says Paul. 

Jacob was nominated by his Dad in a nationwide competition DHL held together with the Sunday Star Times. Paul nominated his son by submitting a 200-word essay stating why his sun was the ultimate young fan. He’s more than happy to accompany his son he says with a smile.

“I thought, well if he goes then I can go!”

Jacob could have chosen any adult to join him but the choice was obvious. He and his Dad share a love of Rugby that is undeniable. 

“He’s going to have to be a good boy.”

“I could have brought anyone I wanted, but Dad was the one,” says Jacob. “He’s going to have to be a god boy,” he smiles.

Jacob’s Match Ball Delivery experience 
Stay tuned later this month when we share Jacob’s Match Ball Delivery experience. But for now, watch the heartwarming stories of some of our other winners. Or, if you prefer a good read, find their stories right here on DHL InMotion.