Maori expert relishes Cup role

Rotorua's Eru Biddle is about to share his Maori culture with the world.

The Waiariki Institute of Technology Maori lecturer will start his Rugby World Cup experience by welcoming visiting teams to New Zealand. He will travel around the country and help welcome visiting teams on to marae.

He was given the opportunity by the Rugby World Cup Committee and Te Puni Kokiri and Mr Biddle said his role would allow him to share Maori culture with the world.

"I think it's a great honour, we're representing all Maori and all of New Zealand on a big stage and lastly I'm doing it for my iwi, Tuhoe, and my family."

He said it was important to support the visiting teams on marae.

"We're providing them with the knowledge of Maori tikanga and being there to support them about things on the marae," he said.

Although a staunch All Blacks supporter, he was happy to be part of the welcoming for Australia and Ireland.

"They're guests to our country so it doesn't bother me - but when it comes to the games they're back to being the enemy."

Mr Biddle will accompany the All Blacks on Saturday at Auckland's Aotea Square, will then fly to Queenstown to welcome the Irish team and then back to Auckland to welcome the Australians.

He will finish his Rugby World Cup involvement by being part of a marae welcome for the Romanian rugby team in Invercargill.