Rugby World Cup: Opening ceremony stunner

Rehearsals have been intense for the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony at Eden Park. Photo / Supplied

Passers-by were treated to a stunning sneak preview of the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony at Eden Park on Friday night.

Dramatic orchestra music mingled with Maori chants echoed across Eden Valley as performers rehearsed the extravaganza.

The Herald on Sunday can reveal the show will be a feast of sound and light, centred on classic Auckland themes - volcanoes and ocean - but with little or no apparent references to recent tragedies such as the Christchurch earthquakes or Pike River Mine disaster.

During the rehearsal, dancers in white suits and silver balaclavas were spotted weaving between spotlights on the dark pitch. Their highly polished silver shields bounced light all around the stadium.

Sheets of blue light then turned the field into a rippling ocean and wind surfers on wheels and giant yachts, all with reflective sails, were pushed around the pitch. The performers then gathered around a bright orange circle in the centre of the field and the lights created an effect of volcanic lava, which sent them fleeing.

Maori performers from iwi or tribes around the country remained secretive yesterday about their roles in the ceremony.

Gisborne performer Paul Anderson, aged 35, was one of 50 performers chosen to represent his iwi, Nga Timaniatoto, and spoke with the Herald on Sunday during a break in rehearsals yesterday.

Anderson, who went to Gisborne Boys' High School with Rico Gear, said it was important Maori had a large presence at the nation's biggest sporting event.

"It's always important on a world stage when [visitors are] coming to New Zealand our culture is well represented. It's important that as a culture we are represented to people in a good way," Anderson said.

Performers, ranging in age from 17 to 35, have been staying at Te Mahurehure Marae in Auckland for the last week while rehearsing for their big mystery act.

The RWC opening and closing ceremonies were being co-ordinated by David Atkins Enterprises, the firm behind the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, the Doha Asian games, and the recent opening and closing ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

Over 1000 volunteers have been corralled into next Friday's opening ceremony, which will have an estimated television audience of 50 million.

Head choreographer Shona McCullough told the Radio Network that details of the 30-minute show are being kept under wraps. She said even the cast didn't know the full extent of the show. "It's been a strategy of holding as much information back from them - a lot haven't seen other sections of the opening ceremony yet."

- additional reporting Chloe Johnson