Proposed Wellington RWC sculpture revealed

Weta Workshop Director Rob Gillies with the proposed design for a statue for the Rugby World Cup. Photo / NZPA

Weta Workshop has unveiled a miniature of a sculpture, which has been proposed as a centre piece for Wellington's hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The miniature of the sculpture showed two rugby players competing for the ball in a lineout, and was unveiled today at Weta Workshop in Miramar in Wellington.

The sculpture also has a distinct Wellington flavour with references to Island Bay and the city sky line represented on each side.

The final decision on whether to build the sculpture will be made by the Wellington City Council in June, after a period of public consultation. If approved, it would stand about five metres tall.

It would leave a lasting artistic legacy for Wellington, which would last beyond the World Cup, said Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast.

The location of the sculpture was yet to be determined but Ms Prendergast hoped it would be erected near the World Cup village, on the waterfront.

"Art always invites debate but I am hoping that the majority of Wellingtonians will see that this legacy is more than just about rugby," Ms Prendergast said.

Weta Workshop director Rob Gillies said the concept was an attempt to show the unity of two rugby teams coming together.

The lineout was the most significant part of the game in which the players came together so was the best aspect to show in the sculpture, he said.

"It will be a massive construction job with probably up to 30 people working on it at any one time," Mr Gillies said.

Mixing art and rugby was a "tricky brief," he said.

Weta Workshop had been working on the project for a while with boss Richard Taylor playing an important role in its design, he said.

"We have been playing with ideas for around six months now, developing conceptual ideas in conjunction with the [Wellington City Council]," he said.

The sculpture, if approved, will be funded by the Wellington City Council and will cost $350,000.

- NZPA