Trophy completes tour across globe – DHL makes delivery in Dublin

The International Rugby Board took delivery of the Webb Ellis Cup from DHL on November 18 after its 25,000-mile, five-country journey from New Zealand. The last leg of the tour through the UK before the incredible journey ended in Dublin was busy as ever.

New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and England – the Webb Ellis Cup has completed its whirlwind, whistle-stop tour through all Rugby World Cup-winning nations and returned to Ireland, delivered by DHL and chaperoned by some of the game’s greatest legends. All Black superstar Grant Fox, who won the inaugural tournament in 1987, traveled with the Trophy from country to country as DHL ambassador. After a frantic, five-day trip, Grant handed his special delivery over to England’s sure-handed Lawrence Dallaglio, who hoisted the Trophy for his country in 2003 and would look after it on the UK leg of the tour.

It’s been one heck of a journey over the past few weeks and we're proud to have successfully delivered the greatest prize in rugby back from New Zealand via past winning nations, Australia, South Africa and England.

“Bill” visits Twickenham
The Trophy’s busy schedule over the past few weeks didn’t let up after landing in England and Lawrence found himself running from one event to the next, starting with a visit to DHL’s UK HQ at the Hounslow Depot, giving staff the opportunity to meet a legend of the game and have a photo taken with the Webb Ellis Cup. From there Lawrence was joined by fellow RWC winners Will Greenwood and Jason Leonard at England’s Twickenham Stadium – the largest stadium in the world devoted to the sport of rugby and the site of the Rugby World Cup 2015 final. Day 1 ended with the night shift at the DHL UK HQ distribution warehouse getting the unique opportunity to see the Trophy and talk rugby with one of their country’s greatest rugby men.

Day 2 saw world rugby’s most coveted silverware tour two local schools, where the children took photos and took part in a rugby clinic with Harlequins rugby coaches. The Trophy ended the day by attending the Harlequins LV Cup match against the Sale Sharks at Twickenham Stoop Stadium – commonly known as “The Stoop”.

Before making its way to final destination Dublin, the Webb Ellis Cup was in the suites at Twickenham Stadium to watch England battle New Zealand in an exciting match that saw the RWC 2015 hosts fight back from 17-3 deficit to lead 22-20 going into the final quarter, only to ultimately fall to the reigning world champions 30-22.

Destination Dublin
In Dublin, New Zealand’s Sean Fitzpatrick was joined by Ireland’s Keith Wood to welcome the Trophy to Ireland for the final stop on this incredible journey. The two rugby greats held a private Q&A with fifty DHL competition winners from across Ireland and visited ‘NewsTalk’ radio for a live broadcast on the famous ‘Off the Ball’ radio show – talking all things rugby, including their playing careers, and of course the DHL Trophy Tour. Sean was noticeably excited to have the silverware back in his hands, a prize he hasn’t held since New Zealand’s win in 1987!

The next day the journey ended as New Zealand captain Richie McCaw officially handed over the Webb Ellis Cup to IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset in Dublin, in front of a large audience of Rugby Unions and organizations affiliated with the sport as part of the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference.

It’s been one heck of a journey over the past few weeks and we're proud to have successfully delivered the greatest prize in rugby back from New Zealand via past winning nations, Australia, South Africa and England.

Although this journey has come to an end, the road to Rugby World Cup 2015 is really just beginning. Follow DHL Rugby and keep up with all the rugby action across the globe as we prepare for one of the world’s largest sporting events.

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