2011 Rugby World Cup - Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony

The Opening Ceremony took place on 9 September 2011 in Eden Park in Auckland. There were four segments in the ceremony.

• The Call

A Maori woman began the ceremony by calling out words with Maori men blowing traditional instruments. The Call went around New Zealand and out to other countries in the world. The call was described as sending people to New Zealand for the event.

• The Journey

This act described many people from overseas making their way to the event. It started off with the floor being used as the ocean with boats moving along. People also come encounter with Hammerhead Sharks a national animal of New Zealand. The makeshift boats were then formed into giant Hammerhead Sharks. After this the Te Matarae I O Rehu Maori group performed a haka.

• The Battlefield

This act was the metaphor for the game of Rugby. This act featured the star of the show Hamilton Schoolboy Ethan Bai. Ethan Bai was referred to as "The Rookie". He started off racing on the field carrying a replica of the official Rugby World Cup 2011 ball scoring his first try. Ethan then came face to face with the Gladiators (played by rugby club members from across New Zealand). Ethan then began dodging and tackling the Gladiators and managed to score a try. Ethan was then surrounded by 260 degree scrum and then strapped and launched 20 metres above Eden Park to touch the giant replica of the ball. As he landed millions of photos of past great players were shown on the ground. Ethan then walked across the names of several players of rugby history. At the bottom he met Jonah Lomu who allowed him to score a try. The Gladiators wheeled a giant replica of the Web Ellis Trophy into the middle of Eden Park.

• The Prize

New Zealand singer Ria Hall sung a melody of World in Union and all participants of the opening ceremony joined in. At the end there was a Rugby Haka of Kapa O Pango. Afterwards New Zealand prime Minister The Right Honourable John Key and Chairman of the Internation Rugby Board Bernard Lapasset wished all teams the best of Luck and Bernard Lapasset officially opened the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The Scene was then transformed to Auckland Harbour where a fireworks display was held. The game was then kicked off to New Zealand vs Tonga.