The Bledisloe Cup round a hit at local rugby games

Tue, Aug 13, 2013, 2:00 AM
AAP
by AAP

It’s not every day a Qantas Wallaby player visits your local Rugby match. It’s even rarer to see the Bledisloe Cup there.

Kids jumped with excitement and heads turned in awe as both made appearances at some lucky local Rugby matches in Sydney on Saturday.

It was all part of the Bledisloe Cup Round, the name given to local Rugby matches across NSW on the weekend.

The experience was a rare treat for participants and observers at matches in Concord, Narrabeen, Hornsby and Woollahra.

At Concord, Rugby’s minis players flocked to have their shirts, hats, posters and drink bottles signed by their Wallaby heroes.

The juniors were enthralled to see their favourite Wallabies show their support at their local Rugby ground.

The event, as part of this year’s Bledisloe Cup Festival, saw the Bledisloe Cup trophy sit sideline at some games.

The shining piece of silverware stunned onlookers as parents explained, “that’s the trophy Australia and New Zealand play for”.

You can forgive kids for not knowing what the huge, shiny Cup was. The last time Australia earned it was back in 2002.

Getting a photo with it was therefore high in demand as crowds lined to capture their once in a lifetime chance up close to the historic Cup.

The Cup then provided a fitting backdrop as the sun set on the NSW Shute Shield match between Eastern Suburbs and Eastwood at Woollahra Oval.

This week the Bledisloe Cup will continue its tour through Sydney to a variety of lunches and events as part of the 2013 Bledisloe Cup Festival.

The Cup will then return to its rightful owner of 11 years, the All Blacks, ahead of this year’s opening Bledisloe Cup clash at ANZ Stadium, Sydney.

In 2013 it’s the only chance to see the Qantas Wallabies take on the All Blacks on Australia soil. Don’t miss out. Tickets available here.

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