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RWC 2011 Roadshow Diary: Week 1

Monday 11 July 2011, 5:08PM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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July 8-9 Christchurch, Greymouth and Westport
July 8-9 Christchurch, Greymouth and Westport Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011
July 8 Ashburton
July 8 Ashburton Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011
July 7 Dunedin, Oamaru* and Timaru*
July 7 Dunedin, Oamaru* and Timaru* Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011
July 6 Queenstown
July 6 Queenstown Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011
July 5 Invercargill
July 5 Invercargill Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011
July 4 Bluff and Stewart Island*
July 4 Bluff and Stewart Island* Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011

The Official RWC 2011 Roadshow will be touring the country from July 4-31 and will give fans across New Zealand the opportunity to get a glimpse of what RWC will really be like when it reaches our shores on September 9.

Check out the diary below to see what has been happening on the road with the RWC 2011 Roadshow.

Don't forget you can download your photos with the Webb Ellis Cup from www.flickr.com/rugbyworldcup.

For the full RWC 2011 Roadshow map and schedule, please click here.

July 8 - 9 Christchurch, Greymouth and Westport

Christchurch turned up with the biggest crowds of the Roadshow so far with close to 2,000 visitors. There was a long journey over to the West Coast and the Land Rovers carried the crew safely through wild conditions over the rugged Lewis Pass with the road closing in behind. The rain and high winds in Greymouth did not stop the residents coming down in their hundreds and there was a glowing atmosphere as Charlie Greer from Shanty Town Heritage Park demonstrated gold panning to eager participants. Other festival highlights included a captivating performance illustrating the running of the whitebait and a celeb Masterchef competition with Mayor Tony Kokshoorn taking the prize. Whitebait shots were on hand to wash down the freshly made fritters. The day ended with a visit with the Webb Ellis Cup to Wesport where there was an enthusiastic welcome!

Fri, July 8 Ashburton*

Large crowds came down to the Roadshow in Ashburton where the locals had organised a road closure for the event. There was a farming feel to the day with a large tractor on site and cowboys Andrew and Pat demonstrated their rodeo skills. The site roared to life during a game of stockcar Rugby. Mouth watering treats included chocolate painted with the Romanian flag and a replica of the Webb Ellis Cup made from rice bubbles and marshmallow. Well known local ‘Goldberg’ won the best dressed fan of the day supporting the USA along with Samantha supporting Scotland. 

Thur, July 7 Dunedin, Oamaru* and Timaru*

It was an action packed day for the Webb Ellis Cup today with visits to Dunedin, Oamaru and Timaru. Three year old Oscar stole the show in Dunedin with his handmade Trophy costume. With England playing 3 games in Dunedin they were being represented by a Queen Elizabeth impersonator and Otago Boys High School Choir sang ‘The Land of Hope and Glory’. Over 600 people showed up to Oamaru and Murray from North Otago Rugby put on a sausage sizzle to keep the crowd occupied as they queued. The day finished up at Timaru Boys High School. 

Wed, July 6 Queenstown

Ireland was represented today in Queenstown and Paddy kicked it off with traditional Irish music. The Buckingham Belles followed thrilling the crowd with their colourful Can Can dancing. Locals Simon and Wakatipu Rugby Coach Kelvin got their knees up and joined the Can Can girls in a dance off for TVONE’s Breakfast! The Otago Rugby Team came down to enjoy music from the band "Best Served Chilled" and local school kids were awed by stilt walkers and Milly’s flaming hola hoop tricks! Ticket winners for their creative fan costumes were Graig and dog Timmy supporting South Africa and Shirley supporting Japan. 

Tue, July 5 Invercargill

An enthusiastic crowd of Invercargill fans were queuing at 6.30am including Rippa Rugby teams from Salford School and Lime Hills School. The crowd was entertained by Pipeworkz and Waimatuku Southern Scenic Pipe band who created a lively atmosphere with music and Highland dancing. Sue French shouted coffee and Jane Stanton and her team wooed the crowd with a range of chocolate including a life sized chocolate Rugby ball used by TVONE’s Breakfast presenter Tamati to perform a line out with! Best dressed fans included a family of Irish fans and a Scottish fan, Alec, in a tartan ensemble. 

Mon, July 4 Bluff and Stewart Island*

It was a pleasant morning in Bluff for Day 1 of the RWC 2011 Roadshow. The best dressed fans were Tarryn from St Teresa’s School who came as an Irish leprechaun and Mikayla from Bluff Community School who supported Australia, each won two match tickets. Jean fed the crowd with oyster and mutton bird pies while Vic Pearsey, the current Ladies Champion for oyster shucking (opening), showed RNZ 2011 CEO Martin Snedden her technique! The Webb Ellis Cup then flew to Stewart Island, the furthest south it has ever been, and was welcomed by a haka performed by Half Moon Bay School. The community put on a delicious shared lunch including Rugby ball shaped chocolate cookies!