Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour completes captivating week of rugby in Uruguay

The Webb Ellis Cup landed in Montevideo with a packed schedule ahead of the country’s decisive RWC 2019 qualifying match with Canada

Just ahead of Uruguay’s battle with Canada for the final berth in Pool D at Rugby World Cup 2019, rugby fans had a lot to be excited about. With the match fast approaching on February 3, Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour touched down in Montevideo on January 31, bringing the game’s most coveted prize – the Webb Ellis Cup – to the country’s capital.

You might think the Trophy Tour also inspired the Uruguay’s national team. Known as Los Teros, the boys in blue and black qualified for Rugby World Cup 2019 with a 32-31 win over Canada in their Americas 2 playoff series final. The Webb Ellis Cup was on hand at Estadio Charrua for the decisive match.

One of the week’s highlights was a trip to the beach as part of World Rugby’s Get Into Rugby Initiative. 

But before watching the home team win, the Cup toured the capital city, visiting iconic locations including the Montevideo sign, the Montevideo Japanese Gardens, and the Museo del Futbol alongside the Jules Rimet trophy won by Uruguay at the 1930 and 1950 Football World Cups. The Trophy Tour also stopped at Vazquez INR prison for a friendly match between Caimanes inmates team and Anejos XV as part of Uruguay Rugby's Pelota al Medio a la Esperanza program helping to rehabilitate inmates through the power of rugby's values.

Get Into Rugby 
One of the week’s highlights was a trip to the beach as part of World Rugby’s Get Into Rugby Initiative. DHL Uruguay delivered rugby equipment and a Rugby World Cup kit to Playa Ramirez, where elementary school students from Malvin Norte and Casavalle schools where attending a Get Into Rugby beach training session hosted by World Rugby. It was inspiring to see the smiles on the kids’ faces as they learned a new sport and about the Rugby World Cup in Japan. 

Topping off a fantastic week of Rugby football, Uruguay players Matias Benitez, Ignacio Dotti and Santiago Arata took the Webb Ellis Cup to celebrate with DHL staff in Montevideo. There they introduced the game, took photos with everyone and the Cup and took part in a game of touch rugby. 

Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour 
The Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour will visit 18 countries across five continents as part of an international celebration of rugby in the lead up to Japan 2019. Rapidly-growing rugby markets Brazil, China, India, USA, Germany and Spain will play host to the tour, while Chile, Malaysia, Nepal and Pakistan will welcome the Webb Ellis Cup for the first time. France, Ireland, South Africa, Fiji, the Philippines and Hong Kong will also play host before the Webb Ellis Cup arrives in Japan for a national tour ahead of the tournament.

Find out more about the Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour at www.rugbyworldcup.com/trophy-tour and follow the exciting international journey via @rugbyworldcup. 

As the Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019, DHL will be there every step of the way as the Webb Ellis Cup travels the globe. Follow us @DHLRugby.