- Land Rover celebrates the defining moments from Rugby World Cup 2015 watched by over 4 billion fans worldwide
- Fans and grassroots clubs help bring to life the best Rugby World Cup of all time
- Land Rover, a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, put grassroots Rugby at the heart of its #WeDealInReal campaign
Whitley, UK, 1st November 2015: Rugby World Cup 2015 has seen the highest attendance at any Rugby World Cup with over 2.4 million fans pitch side over 48 games, watched by over 4 billion viewers worldwide. To celebrate the conclusion of the tournament Land Rover has created a film focusing on the defining moments of Rugby World Cup 2015 and the fans that made this tournament so great.
Land Rover began its journey as a Worldwide Partner in the heart of grassroots rugby, inviting ambassadors including Jonny Wilkinson and Brian Habana to Farnborough Rugby Club, to lend a hand as the smallest Rugby Club in the World, Racal Decca RFC, took on their rivals Streatham‑Croydon 3rds. The legends assisted in the routine match day preparations and gave the sides a once in a lifetime experience.
Land Rover has been at the heart of the action around the tournament from recruiting the 96 official mascots who have been leading out the teams to floating a giant Rugby ball along the Thames to London's Tower Bridge to reveal a specially designed Land Rover Defender. This vehicle took the Webb Ellis Cup on a 100 day tour around the UK and Ireland before its arrival at Twickenham for the opening ceremony
With the help of rugby legends, ambassadors and rugby clubs from all over the world, Land Rover selected 96 lucky youngsters who embody the spirit of grassroots rugby to be official mascots at Rugby World Cup 2015. Thousands of 7‑13 year olds applied for the programme by taking part in rugby challenges at grassroots events around the world. Challenges ranged from singing their national anthem to giving team‑talks, with the best entries from each country selected for this once in a lifetime opportunity.
Land Rover also created two large sculptures exhibited outside both the Millennium and Twickenham Stadiums which acted as meeting points for fans on match days. Named 'The Catch' these 8 metre high sculptures were a collaboration between Land Rover and the acclaimed Italian artist Nino Mustica to celebrate Rugby World Cup 2015, representing the fusion of art, automotive design and sport the sculptures were inspired by the line out.
Finally, as part of its role as Official Vehicle Partner for the tournament Land Rover delivered a fleet of 450 vehicles to support the Rugby World Cup 2015. A mixed fleet of specially liveried Discovery Sport, Discovery, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models provided transport for match officials, event support staff and VIPs.
The Tournament itself did not disappoint, from New Zealand lifting the Webb Ellis Cup to arguably the biggest upset in Rugby history when Japan defeated South Africa 34‑32 on the opening weekend. The film celebrates the defining moments of the tournament; from the rise of the minnows to the atmosphere in pubs, clubs, living rooms and fanzones around the country, capturing the emotions of fans and players alike.
Mark Cameron, Global Brand Experience Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: "The Rugby World Cup 2015 has been a remarkable tournament which has captured the imagination of fans from around the world. We have seen the world's best teams and players take battle on the pitch demonstrating their incredible spirit and passion for the game. This film encapsulates the emotion and drama of the tournament through the eyes of the fans and we at Land Rover hope it inspires old and young to go back to their grassroots and into the beloved game of rugby."
With Land Rover's 20 year heritage in supporting Rugby at all levels, Land Rover champions and celebrates the people that are the heart and soul of the game, by putting local clubs and fans on the global stage.
For exclusive content and further information, please follow @LandRoverRugby and engage with the campaign by using #WeDealInReal.
ENDS
For further information log onto www.media.landrover.com or contact:
Lydia Haley
Senior Press Officer
Land Rover PR
Tel: +44 2476564147
Mobile: +44 7730 923507
Email: lhaley1@jaguarlandrover.com
EDITORS' NOTES
About Land Rover
Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors with 80% of this model range exported to over 170 countries.
Land Rover and Rugby
Land Rover has been at the heart of rugby for over two decades, from grassroots to the pinnacle of the sport. Rugby partnerships around the world include top‑flight sponsorship properties in France, Australia, South Africa and England, and Rugby World Cup 2015.
About Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup is the financial engine behind unprecedented investment and growth in rugby worldwide. The net Rugby World Cup surplus from the commercial success of France 2007 and New Zealand 2011 has enabled World Rugby to invest more than £150 million in the game between 2009 and 2012 and commit an anticipated injection of more than £180 million between 2013 and 2016 to underwrite a large range of major funding initiatives including annual national union grants and strategic investments focusing on growing participation and increasing competition across all 120 national member unions affiliated to World Rugby.
