Winning team look back on 'longest day' in Dublin

Colin Meads, Tana Umaga, Helen Clark, Jock Hobbs and Chris Moller in the uniforms they wore in Dublin. Barry Durrant / Getty Images

The dream team who secured New Zealand's successful bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup met again yesterday for the first time since their presentation in Dublin last month.

Prime Minister Helen Clark, New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs and chief executive Chris Moller, All Blacks legend Colin Meads, and All Blacks captain Tana Umaga met for a champagne celebration of the achievement in Helen Clark's office.

All five were wearing the uniform they wore in Dublin to convince the International Rugby Board that New Zealand was the right choice for the Cup.

Mr Hobbs said the World Cup presented wonderful opportunities not only for rugby but for New Zealand.

The group reminisced about the day they met to sell New Zealand as the "home of rugby".

Helen Clark said she was proud to be part of the thoroughly professional campaign, but admitted to having nerves when the time came to present it.

"I didn't want to do anything to disrupt the campaign."

The Prime Minister said she took advice from Mr Meads and spoke firstly about the economic benefits to the country, and then said: "Now let's talk about the rugby".

But she credited Umaga's speech as "touching [the panel's] heartstrings.

"He talked about the importance rugby has not only to the people of New Zealand, but to the Pacific Island people as well."

All of the group echoed the sentiment that it was "the longest day" they had gone through.

Mr Hobbs said it was wonderful to be at yesterday's celebration, and "get the team back together".

- NZPA