The Webb Ellis Cup has arrived in New Zealand, courtesy of Emirates.
People taking flight to Auckland with Emirates may have been on the same flight as the Webb Ellis Cup as it made its way to the city.
Delivered ahead of the start of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand later this month, the cup was greeted by with a traditional Maori haka as the Airbus A380 it was travelling in touched down.
The trophy had taken its long trip from the headquarters of the International Rugby Board in Dublin to London, where it travelled on board planes owned by the official sponsor of the event to New Zealand, where it will wait to be given to the winning team on October 23rd 2011.
Gary Chapman, Emirates’ president of group services, said: “Emirates is proud to have been able to bring the trophy all the way from London, via Dubai, on our flagship aircraft, the Airbus A380.”
During its long flight to Auckland, the cup was given a stop-over in Dubai, where it was taken to several of its best attractions, including the Burj Khalifa tower.
Written by Ruth Norris
