2011 to be a 'Golden Year' for New Zealand
By Frankie Deges
From Buenos Aires, Argentina
Murray McCully, New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Minister of Rugby World Cup, has been in Buenos Aires, Argentina
promoting a tournament he believes will provide a great opportunity
not only to enjoy the Game of Rugby but also to form lasting
business partnerships.
"I think 2011 will be a golden year for us in New
Zealand," he said.
On a short-stop South American tour, McCully was accompanied
in Buenos Aires by New Zealand 2011 Ambassador Andrew Mehrtens and
former Puma captain Agustín Pichot. He met with local businessmen
and journalists in an effort to show a different face to a
tournament that is now less than 400 days away.
"New Zealand is a very small trading nation, which has
to earn its way in the world by selling goods and services and
forming partnerships and businesses," he added.
"Rugby World Cup is not just an opportunity to invite
people down to a place with a rich rugby heritage but also an
opportunity to meet our business people - particularly in the food
and beverage area but in other sectors as well."
Up until two years ago McCully was an avid rugby player with
the Parliamentary team. Two years ago his Prime Minister suggested
he quit the game and he is now a Patron of the East Coast Bays and
a keen North Harbour fan.
McCully was flanked by two legends of the Game who played six
World Cups and almost 150 caps between them. Agustín Pichot, who
retired after leading Los Pumas to a bronze medal in 2007, visited
New Zealand once as a player, but has made a few more visits as
part of his push for Argentina's entry into the future Four
Nations.
"New Zealand is a very mystical place, you will always
find something different there," Pichot said. "The Maori
culture is very strong; the rugby feeling is stronger. Anything can
happen and New Zealand is a great country to go and visit, even
more so when a Rugby World Cup is hosted there."
A veteran of four Rugby World Cup campaigns, Pichot
understands the importance of the tournament: "This is a very
interesting moment as RWC is really gaining momentum. Australia
added a notch into the organization and about the business and
France really took it to the next step and I believe New Zealand
will add value to a great event."
Andrew Mehrtens, a finalist in his first Rugby World Cup in
1995 who gained 70 caps for the All Blacks, is a proud New
Zealander: "We are very excited and determined to do it
well," he said.
So much so that, despite recently signing to play for French
club Béziers, he has made sure he is allowed to take six weeks off
during the tournament to return home. He fully understands it will
be "the" place to be.
"Whatever spins your wheels, we can welcome you. We can
go from the mountains to the sea, we have a lot of nature, a lot of
exciting thrill-seeking you can do all around New Zealand. Whether
you are an active person or more passive, we believe we can cater
for you."
One of the most amiable international players ever, Mehrtens
is one of the best respected figures in the game.
"I want the game to grow and in New Zealand we are
determined to have a fantastic event that really does justice to
rugby and which players and supporters enjoy."
"It will be an event about rugby on the field but also
people enjoying the event for six weeks."
Minister McCully added: "Whilst we cannot offer the
glitz and glamour of bigger venues, we can offer a rugby heritage
that is different and which will be appreciated by real rugby
followers, as well as all of the opportunities to see some of the
economic activities that we are involved in and meet our business
people."
"Heritage will always be a core value of our game,"
added Pichot. "People who have never been to New Zealand will
experience something really unique: the way New Zealanders feel
about and contemplate rugby in a complete different sense. I am
sure it will be a special occasion."
The New Zealand Government has made a huge pledge to the
tournament and formed a company with the New Zealand Rugby Union to
run it. "New Zealand certainly regards rugby as a religion and
RWC is the biggest thing that we will do in New Zealand in my
lifetime," added McCully.
"I am feeling very good about the state of our planning.
It's a big undertaking for us - one that we are taking very
seriously. It's the biggest organizational challenge that New
Zealand has fronted."
Acknowledging that the tournament comes with a price tag for
local tax-payers, McCully is adamant that the event that will reap
major benefits to the entire country.
"We think all our investment will be repaid by the level
of interest we get in our tourism product and other economic
activities," he conclude. "We think 2011 will be a golden
year for us in New Zealand."