Rugby World Cup volunteer honours rugby-mad Dad

Rugby World Cup volunteer, June Ioelu. Photo / Michael Craig

Volunteering at the Rugby World Cup has given June Ioelu a chance to pay tribute to her late father Vito.

The pair were set to help out at the tournament together before Vito passed away.

"It's something I had doubts about continuing but I haven't regretted it - it's something I will never forget.

"I guess at the end of this, everything I've done in Rugby World Cup 2011 is a tribute to him and I know he would love to be part of this experience."

She said her father, who died last year, supported Manu Samoa, closely followed by the All Blacks.

"He was a mad rugby supporter," she said.

The 20-year-old had volunteered at Eden Park, North Harbour Stadium, and the Queens Wharf fan zone doing everything from helping set up sound systems for national anthems to guiding people on the fan trail from downtown to Eden Park.

"I was dancing and cheering them on with 3km to go. That was my exercise."

She also consoled distraught French fans with hugs after their loss to the All Blacks.

"After the game came out, I said 'Guys you can still make the quarters'."

Getting to see teams line up before they run on to the field had been a perk. "They've got some really buff players in the South African team," she said.

Ioelu will be at the fan zone in Mangere during the semifinals and at the final at Eden Park.

Making new friends was another bonus. "There're so many people who are more like family to me now."

Rugby World Cup Auckland co-ordination group chairwoman Rachael Dacy said volunteers like June had played a huge part in making the tournament a success.

"They are the face of the tournament and by welcoming and assisting our visitors they are helping to make this the best Rugby World Cup ever.

"We simply could not run the tournament without June and our other volunteers."