Land Rover Starts The Road To Rugby World Cup 2011 As Official Fleet Arrives In Auckland

5^th July 2011, Dubai - With just 2 months to go until Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off in New Zealand, Land Rover, as the Official Vehicle, delivered a fleet of special Rugby World Cup 2011 vehicles to the country last week in preparation for the Tournament.

As Official Vehicle of Rugby World Cup 2011, Land Rover will keep the ball rolling by supplying vehicles to the organisers, teams and officials. The majority of the Range Rover Sports and Land Rover Discovery/LR4s arrived today at the Port of Auckland with the balance of the vehicles being delivered before the Tournament starts on September 9^th. The vehicles will be specially customised with Rugby World Cup 2011 branding, RWC 2011 number plates, and commemorative badging to promote the association throughout New Zealand.

John Edwards, Global Brand Director, Land Rover added: "Land Rover's sponsorship of Rugby World Cup marks a significant development in the partnership between Land Rover and Rugby. Land Rover is proud of its heritage within the sport and is pleased to extend its support on a global basis. The five year agreement with RWCL, which includes becoming a Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2015, will enable Land Rover to engage with customers, staff and Rugby fans all around the world, as well as in the host countries of New Zealand and England.

"Land Rover is extremely proud of their association with a sport which shares so many of their core values - power, intelligence, versatility - all elements that are needed to create great competitive Rugby and world class all-terrain vehicles. Rugby World Cup 2011 and host country New Zealand provide the perfect global showcase for Land Rover's vehicles."

Gary Upson, Brand Manager, Land Rover New Zealand, commented: "We are really excited to be supporting Rugby World Cup 2011 this year in New Zealand and are pleased that we could bring vehicles into the country to help with organisation. The all-terrain vehicles will be put to good use between now and October by RWCL representatives, teams and officials, and the fleet will help the Tournament to run smoothly."

The Tournament will be attended by fans from around the globe and will be watched by a TV audience of over four billion in more than 200 countries.

Land Rover's support of RWC 2011 and RWC 2015 builds on the company's well-established, long term relationship with Rugby. Land Rover is proud to have been Official Vehicle of the British and Irish Lions, supporting them on their 2005 and 2009 tours to New Zealand and South Africa. In the UK, Land Rover has been Official Vehicle of both England Rugby and Premiership Rugby since 2002, and is committed to developing the grassroots of the Game through the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup, a nationwide tournament for under 11s and under 12s. They were also the Official Vehicle of the final phase of the Top 14 Orange in France and Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens 2010.

-Ends-

TM © Rugby World Cup Limited 2008.

For further information, please contact:
Bijal Soni
Weber Shandwick
bijal.soni@ws-mena.com
+971 4 321 0077 / +971 507 158 362.

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