Tuesday, October 25, 2011

RWC 2011 champion All Blacks confirm Christchurch celebrations

The Rugby World Cup 2011-winning All Blacks have today (24 October) confirmed plans for a massive fan parade in Christchurch.

The Christchurch event to celebrate the team’s famous victory – and the Webb Ellis Cup – comes less than 48 hours after the side beat France in the Rugby World Cup 2011 final.

New Zealand Rugby Union Chairman, Mike Eagle said the team were keen to share the celebrations with Christchurch fans as soon as possible.

“Taking the Webb Ellis Cup to the people of Christchurch means so much for the entire team. They’ve recognised how disappointing it was for Christchurch to miss out on staging games at this year’s event, and they’re looking forward to seeing large crowds of Cantabrians and those from further afield at the parade.”

The public event begins from the corner of Rolleston Avenue and Hereford Street at 3.30pm on Tuesday 25 October and finishes at the North Hagley Park Fanzone.
Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says this will provide the people of Christchurch the perfect opportunity to celebrate the country’s big win.

“With many of the team local boys, I want to encourage as many of you as possible to take time out and celebrate our country’s incredible sporting achievement by honouring the All Blacks during this parade.”

Earlier an estimated two hundred thousand fans converged in Auckland’s central city for the first of three planned public events to mark the team’s achievement and recognise the successful staging of RWC 2011.

Visit www.ccc.govt.nz for the Christchurch parade map, road closures and other information.

The final public event this week takes place in Wellington on Wednesday with details to be announced shortly.

The team will be travelling to Christchurch on the iconic Air New Zealand All Blacks plane.

“We’re really pleased Air New Zealand has pulled out all the stops to provide the special black plane for this very special occasion,” said NZRU’s Mike Eagle.

Details of the public parades will be available as plans are put in place on www.facebook.com/allblacks and www.allblacks.com.

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