KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks could find themselves being urged on by a big squad of politicians during the Rugby World Cup, with several MPs set to be in France or Europe around the time of the tournament.
While many have not yet confirmed they will definitely attend an All Blacks' match, it looks likely Prime Minister Helen Clark, Minister for Sport Trevor Mallard and possibly Foreign Minister Winston Peters will be in the stands at some point.
The parliamentary rugby team is also due to touch down in France in just over a week for its own world cup competition against other parliamentary teams from Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa.
Co-captain, National MP Murray McCully, said 10 to 11 MPs were going to play in three matches in seven days. Among those understood to be pulling on their boots are fellow co-captain and Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor, National MPs Chris Tremain, Mark Blumsky, John Carter and Colin King, and possibly Labour MP Shane Jones.
The likely trips of Helen Clark and Mr Peters are official journeys which will include engagements outside the rugby should they make it to a game.
The rugby team's trip is funded by its regular sponsors - which include Air New Zealand, adidas, Lion Nathan, McDonald's Visa and AMP - while the players will have to each fork out $3000-$4000.
National Party leader John Key will be in Europe around the time of the Rugby World Cup finals on an annual leader's trip, but a spokesman said that at this stage he did not intend to go to a match.
