All Blacks jersey presented to UN chief Ban Ki-moon

The United Nation's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has admitted to being a rugby fan when the Webb Ellis Cup - the prize of this year's Rugby World Cup - visited the United Nations overnight.

Ambassadors representing the 20 Rugby World Cup 2011 participating nations, including UN Development Programme Administrator and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark, and members of the USA Eagles were in attendance as International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset presented Ban Ki-moon with the trophy.

"I love to watch rugby. I may not be much of a player ... but I am a huge fan of the International Rugby Board. The IRB has been working with the United Nations World Food Programme to help address world hunger. For seven years, through the Tackle Hunger programme, you have raised awareness and funds that make a meaningful difference in people's lives," Ban Ki-moon said.

"Rugby is a popular sport that promotes health, teamwork and friendship. In these difficult times, when people are struggling with poverty ... conflict ... sometimes both ... rugby can offer a chance for joy and fun."

The event recognised the Rugby World Cup's partnership with the UN World Food Programme.

Lapasset said rugby was now the sport of choice for more than five million people worldwide, and was the third fastest growing sport in the United States.

"We are proud as rugby grows across every continent that the sport's strong values of teamwork, integrity, discipline, respect and passion still make a real difference in modern society."

"The Webb Ellis Cup is a symbol of the power of sport to drive social change. In the hands of Nelson Mandela in 1995 it helped unite a nation. We hope that it will continue to inspire future generations to participate, to express themselves and to have fun."

- NZ Herald staff