The Wairarapa sporting community will have the chance to see some of rugby's most treasured trophies up close and personal in Masterton tomorrow.
On show at Memorial Park from 4pm to 8pm will be the Bledisloe Cup, the Tri Nations Trophy, the Sir Edmund Hillary Shield, the IRB Women's Rugby World
Cup, the IRB Junior World Championship Trophy and the Ranfurly Shield.
The Bledisloe Cup is competed for on an annual basis by the All Blacks and the Wallabies, and, incidentally, is the only trophy on this tour which cannot go in hand luggage on a flight because it is so heavy. The base weights 9kg and the cup itself is 11kg ... the weight of a small child.
The Tri Nations Trophy is contested each season by the All Blacks, Wallabies and the Springboks, the Hillary Shield is on the line when the All Blacks play England, the Women's Rugby World Cup was won by the Black Ferns for the fourth time from as many goes last season, the IRB Junior World Championship Trophy was won for the third consecutive time by the New Zealand under-19s last year and the Ranfurly Shield is the country's most iconic domestic prize.
The trophies will be on display in individual tents with photo opportunities readily available for onlookers and there will be plenty of entertainment for the younger at heart. Children should come prepared to participate in various rugby skills and drills. Local clubs are also taking the opportunity to have registration forms on hand to sign up prospective players.
