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The Gallaher Cup is on a six month train ride around France. |
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Written by Site Admin
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Wednesday, 17 May 2006 |
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Gallaher Cup tours France ahead of All Blacks Tests A “Train du Rugby” is travelling to 110 towns and cities throughout France to mark the centenary of French rugby. Aboard is the Gallaher Cup that is contested between France and the All Blacks.
 Tana Umaga holds aloft the Dave Gallaher Cup
France’s first ever Test match was against New Zealand in 1906 and the two nations are scheduled to play two Tests later this year. The first will be in Lyon on 11 November and the second in Paris on 18 November. The rugby express is due to finish its journey at the St. Denis train station near the Stade de France on the day of the second Test.
Introduced in 2000, the Gallaher Cup is named after former All Blacks captain Dave Gallaher who died in the battle of Passchendaele in 1917. It is awarded to the winner of the first Test match between the two nations in any given year.
The trophy has been played for five times with the All Blacks victorious on four occasions and retaining the Cup in 2002 when the Test in Paris was drawn 20-20.
“We are glad that Dave Gallaher continues to be an important part of rugby’s heritage around the world,” says All Blacks Coach Graham Henry. “The loss of many New Zealanders during the Wars, including Gallaher and several other All Blacks, is often in our minds and will be again during the Armistice Day Test this November.”
The four-carriage “Train du Rugby”, which is the brainchild of the French Rugby Union (FFR), began its six month journey last week in Le Havre.
One car is dedicated to the French team and decorated to evoke the changing rooms of famous French rugby grounds.
Another carriage is the ‘clubhouse,’ while another car is devoted to Rugby World Cup 2007 and carries the William Webb Ellis Trophy. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 May 2006 )
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