Stewart Islanders not forgotten

RWC chief executive Martin Snedden shows the cup to Sophie Conner and Marley Wright at Half Moon Bay School on Stewart Island. Photo / Supplied

The Rugby World Cup's warm-up roadshow kicked off in Bluff yesterday, with the William Webb Ellis Cup embarking on a four-week tour of the country.

The RWC 2011 Roadshow - a custom-designed truck housing the Webb Ellis Cup - opens out into a 72sq m "events centre" with interactive displays and videos on Rugby World Cup history.

But yesterday the cup alone was sent to Half Moon Bay School on Stewart Island so the children there could feel part of the festival despite their isolation.

The cup roadshow travels to Invercargill today and Queenstown tomorrow.

The convoy will arrive in Christchurch on Saturday.

It reaches Hamilton on Saturday, July 23, the North Shore the day after, then heads back to Manukau and then north to Orewa before arriving in Whangerei in July 27.

It then travels to Paihia and Kaitaia before returning to Auckland on Sunday, July 31.

After the World Cup, a replica of the Webb Ellis trophy will stay in New Zealand for four years - depending on how the All Blacks fare in the competition.

NZPA, staff reporter