AN EVENING WITH THE STARS
In the end it had to finish – but what a way to celebrate Rugby World Cup 2011 and New Zealand’s crowning glory at Eden Park.
The host nation ended 24 years of hurt with an 8-7 victory in the Final over France and England Rugby Travel clients were there for dramatic Tournament curtain call.
England fans enjoyed a wonderful build up to the Final with the last special event evening at the Auckland Rydges Harbourview Hotel.
French legend Philippe Saint-Andre, who will replace Marc Lievremont as Les Blues head coach, was joined by 84-times former All Black scrum-half Justin Marshall for an exclusive preview of the Final.
And alongside some wonderfully traditional New Zealand music and another inspiring performance of the Haka, Saint-Andre and Marshall kept the 500-strong audience enthralled with past stories, top analysis and humour and also handed out prizes to competition winners.
ITV’s Rugby World Cup commentator Nick Mullins, who has hosted all three special events, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the evenings over the last three weeks. They were actually really handy for me to get a sense of what people are talking about and thinking of ahead of the games.
“The event with Justin Marshall and Philippe Saint-Andre in particular, seemed to go down very well. It has been fantastic to get involved with.”
Alongside Saint-Andre, who also coached Gloucester, Sale Sharks and Toulon and Marshall, who won five Super 12 titles and five Tri-Nations Championships, other special events guests have included former New Zealand number eight Buck Shelford, World Cup winning coach Jake White and former England scrum-halves Matt Dawson and Andy Gomarsall.
“Without question these special events have been one of the highlights of the entire trip,” said England Rugby Travel’s head of sales and marketing Justin Hopwood.
“To have two greats like Philippe and Justin talking exclusively to fans hours before the biggest single game in world Rugby was a great experience and something we are determined to do again.”
