Dopo la Bledisloe Cup avremo l'Hillary Shield

[Pakeha_70]

In palio ad ogni sfida tra Inghilterra e NZ

New Zealand and English rugby are honouring the late Sir Edmund Hillary by contesting a new trophy in his name on the All Blacks tour of the United Kingdom in November.

Known as the "Hillary Shield", it will be up for grabs for the first time at Twickenham on November 29 when the All Blacks play England in the last of their tests against the home unions in their quest for a rare Grand Slam.

The shield is being crafted in England and will be unveiled by Lady Hillary and the team's respective captains in London the week leading up to the the test.

Lady Hillary will present the shield to the winning captain after the match.

The Hillary Shield will now be contested in any series between the All Blacks and England, in the same way as the Bledisloe Cup has come to symbolise trans-Tasman test ruby.

The trophy honours Sir Edmund's lifetime of achievements as a mountaineer, adventurer, humanitarian, and as Knight of the Garter. A legendary figure in New Zealand, Sir Edmund was also widely respected in the UK and around the world as the climber who, with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, made the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 as part of a British climbing expedition.

In endorsing the initiative in Auckland on Thursday, Lady Hillary said she was sure her late husband would have approved.

"He would be chuffed," she said.

"He really loved his rugby and the All Blacks ... he watched rugby big-time."

New Zealand Rugby Union chairman Jock Hobbs didn't want to give away too many specifics but said designs he had seen of the shield were certainly impressive.

"I don't want to underwhelm it before it is unveiled. But it is an impressive piece of work and the shield design allows us greater expression than a cup."

Hobbs said the NZRU and the whole rugby community of New Zealand "is privileged to be able to honour Sir Edmund's life through the Hillary Shield".

"It will acknowledge Sir Ed on the rugby field and it will also recognise the links between England and New Zealand, just as Sir Ed's conquest of Mount Everest was achieved through a combined British effort," he added.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said in a statement that the new trophy would be one which had immediate mana and meaning within the team.

"Sir Ed put New Zealand on the map through his expeditions and also through what he achieved elsewhere. He was also a humble sort of character despite the great things he had accomplished. They are attributes that you like to see in people and are attributes that the All Blacks aspire to," said McCaw.

All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu, who was present at the announcement, told RugbyHeaven that the All Blacks would be desperate to be the first holders of the shield.

"We want to bring it home. It will put a bit more pressure on that game," he declared.

"But I'm honoured and humbled by this ... he was such a great man."

England have clearly bought into the arrangement with real enthusiasm.

RFU chief cxecutive, Francis Baron said in a statement: "This is a fitting tribute from the rugby communities of England and New Zealand to the memory and work of Sir Edmund Hillary.

"The All Blacks at Twickenham are always a fantastic spectacle for rugby fans and the addition of a new trophy will add further to the history of these great contests."

England manager and former captain Martin Johnson added: "It will be an honour for both squads to compete for the Hillary Shield. Having spent a lot of time in New Zealand myself I fully appreciate the high esteem in which Sir Edmund is held by everyone not only in his home country but also in Great Britain.

"Sir Edmund achieved so much in his life and was a hugely respected figure around the world.

"For all the players on November 29 it will be a very special occasion and a privilege for them to compete for the Hillary Shield for the first time and one that they will always remember."

The move was one of four initiatives unveiled around Sir Ed's legacy in Auckland on Thursday.

Prime Minister Helen Clark announced the establishment of the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Re4reation Council. This will be an independent body providing leadership and unity for outdoor recreation in the country.

The New Zealand Government will also extend their support of the Himalayan Trust.

And Sir Ed's name will be associated with the famous Duke of Edinburgh awards and Young New Zealanders Challenge which target 14-25-year-olds.

Clark said the Government and the Hillary family had been looking at appropriate ways to commemorate the life of Sir Ed since his passing in January.

"He was a humble man. He was grand but never grandiose and we want his legacy to live on through his interests," she said.

[Pukana]

ero a Wellington per un appuntamento di lavoro presso la NZRU la scorsa settimana.....
e mi son fatta portare in giro nella sala con tutte le maglie delle Union e poi mi sono fermata forse 20 minuti a guardare le coppe nel trophy cabinet.......

wow la bledisloe in tutta la sua bellezza e la 3N cup.............................................................e una miniatura della web ellis e la vera Hillary Shield. tutti trofei in argento o dorati bellissimi. poi arrivo ai trofei Iveco.......ua' che porcheria.
na sorta di stecco alto e curvo con un palla on the top. tutto color grigio. brutti proprio. se lo abbiamo presentato noi attraverso Iveco, il gusto italiano e' proprio scaduto.

[Pakeha_70]

ero a Wellington per un appuntamento di lavoro presso la NZRU la scorsa settimana.....
e mi son fatta portare in giro nella sala con tutte le maglie delle Union e poi mi sono fermata forse 20 minuti a guardare le coppe nel trophy cabinet.......

wow la bledisloe in tutta la sua bellezza e la 3N cup.............................................................e una miniatura della web ellis e la vera Hillary Shield. tutti trofei in argento o dorati bellissimi. poi arrivo ai trofei Iveco.......ua' che porcheria.
na sorta di stecco alto e curvo con un palla on the top. tutto color grigio. brutti proprio. se lo abbiamo presentato noi attraverso Iveco, il gusto italiano e' proprio scaduto.

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