The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour has completed its American journey following three busy days in New York and Chicago ahead of the weekend’s match between the USA and reigning Rugby World Cup champions New Zealand at Soldier Field.

The Trophy Tour, which is being delivered in partnership with Land Rover and DHL – two long term supporters of the Game and Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners – is the first time the trophy has been showcased around the world. It will visit 15 countries over 12 months as part of a celebration of rugby in the lead up to the tournament.

Closing its three day tour of New York and Chicago, the trophy finished up in the company of the USA rugby team, training ahead of the Saturday match. 

USA Rugby lock Louis Stanfill said, “It’s an honour to see the Webb Ellis Cup as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour and something we don’t typically see with the tournament only played once every four years. To see the trophy, especially in the lead up to the weekend’s match, it makes us feel very special and reminds us what it is that we are working so hard for.”

Earlier that day, the Webb Ellis Cup took centre stage at the DHL Rugby vs The World Challenge where rugby went head to head with American Football in a series of skills challenges. In the rugby team USA players Carlin Isles, Zack Test and former New Zealand player Christian Cullen faced American Football legend and Chicago Bears 1985 Super Bowl winner Dan Hampton, former Green Bay Packers legend Ahman Green and current Chicago Bears Cornerback & Core Special Teams Player, Sherrick McManis.

In addition the trophy took in the sights of Chicago with a 103 storey view of the 'Windy City' before being transported by Land Rover to iconic Chicago locations including the Navy Pier and the Millennium Park alongside the infamous Cloud Gate known as ‘The Bean’. 

Debbie Jevans, England Rugby 2015 CEO, said: “We have had a great reception during our visit to New York and Chicago which shows the growing passion for rugby in the USA. The match on Saturday against New Zealand is excellent preparation for Rugby World Cup 2015 and we look forward to welcoming both teams to England next year.” 

Prior to its arrival in Chicago, rugby’s most prestigious prize arrived into Wall Street, New York, by DHL helicopter. The trophy was accompanied by England and 2013 British and Irish Lions rugby player, Alex Corbisiero, returning to the city where he was born.  After being guest of honour at the British Consulate General and visiting the cities infamous locations, Land Rover, as part of their commitment to take the trophy where it has never been before, drove the Webb Ellis Cup onto the Wollman Ice Rink in Central Park before a visit to the NYPD Rugby Club.  From there pupils at Alain Locke School, Harlem, welcomed the trophy at their after school training session with Play Rugby USA.

Mark Cameron, Jaguar Land Rover Global Brand Experience Director, said, "This leg of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour has given us the opportunity to help raise further awareness of the tournament and rugby in the USA. Our ambition during the Tour has been to take the trophy where it has never been before - which in this instance was onto the famous ice rink in Central Park, New York!"

Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express U.S. added, “The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour has had a profound impact on everyone that had an opportunity to see and experience it. The synergies between our business and the sport - speed, passion and determination – have served as a great motivator and reminder to our teams why we strive to be the leaders in international shipping.”
 
Rugby World Cup, the third largest global sporting event behind the Olympics and Football World Cup, takes place in England next year between September 18 and October 31. Hosted in 13 venues across the country, the USA are in Pool B and will face South Africa, Scotland, Samoa and Japan.
 
The next stop of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour will see the Webb Ellis Cup visit Dubai at the end of November.