The Bledisloe Cup today made its way from Wellington to Sydney aboard Qantas flight QF162 for the start of the hotly anticipated rugby tournament between the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
The cup, which dates back to 1931, is the largest ttrophy in the world of rugby at a whopping 9 kg. Accompanied by an Australian Rugby Union representative, it was given its own seat on board the Boeing 737.
Upon arrival, it was handed over to a dedicated security guard who be responsible for guarding it 24 hours a day until the end of the series and afterwards when it will be present at the Bledisloe Cup Festival. He will take it home with him at the end of each night, placing it securely under lock and key.
Qantas has been a supporter of the ARU since 1990.
“In 2004 we became the official airline and naming rights partner of the Qantas Wallabies,” the airline said. “We are proud to support the Qantas Wallabies in their fight for victory of the 2014 Bledisloe Cup.”
It has been 11 years since the Qantas Wallabies won the Bledisloe Cup.
Australia holds home ground advantage this year with the first game in Sydney and the deciding fixture at Suncorp Stadium.
In between, the teams will travel to the All Black's fortress of Eden Park where the Qantas Wallabies will attempt to win for the first time since the 1980s.
Schedule:
August 1 – Bledisloe Cup arrives in Sydney (QF164 WLG-SYD)
August 16 – Qantas Wallabies v All Blacks at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
August 23 – All Blacks v Qantas Wallabies at Eden Park, Auckland
October 18 – Qantas Wallabies v All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Check out these pictures:
L-R: Polimia Poulopoulos (CSM), Paola Collins, and Olivia Barry
L-R: Paola Collins, Polimia Poolopoolos (CSM), and Olivia Barry
L-R: Captain Vaughan Robinson and Brendon Bradley
