England Arrival in pictures plus a visit to Christchurch
By Kath
August 31 2011
England Rugby Team Arrived safely in Auckland late last night our time and were delighted to see so many fans out to meet them at 5.30 in the morning local time
England Rugby Team Arrival Auckland
We have some pictures of the arrival and hope you enjoy them. Plus an update on a special goodwill visit to the people of Christchurch on the eve of the Rugby World Cup 2011.
The team were due to play pool matches against Argentina and Georgia in the city before the February 22 earthquake led to the games being moved to Dunedin, where England kick off their campaign against the Pumas on September 10. Team manager Martin Johnson and several members of the squad are due to visit Christchurch on September 7.
“The whole England squad was shocked by what took place in February and we wanted to show our support for the people of Christchurch who are getting back on their feet following such a tragic event,” said Johnson. “We know how keen they were to play a role in the Rugby World Cup and we were looking forward to being based there. “I’m delighted that we’ll be able to visit and pay our respects shortly before the tournament gets under way next month.”
Hosts New Zealand are due to basing themselves in the city from September 17 to 20 while Australia will travel there on September 28. Rugby New Zealand 2011 CEO Martin Snedden welcomed the decision of the England and Australia teams to include Christchurch in their itineraries. “I thank Martin Johnson and Australian coach Robbie Deans for making team members available for these visits during what is an intense time for any RWC team,” said Snedden. “But I know they will mean a lot to fans in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area who should have been looking forward to seven RWC 2011 matches had it not been for the tragic events of just over six months ago.”
Source RFU Press Release Issued by Will Chignell
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:08:31:17:59:33 by Kath..
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Johnson captained England from lock to their World Cup triumph in 2003 and has brought an experience-laden squad, led by Lewis Moody, to New Zealand in search of a second Webb Ellis Cup.
"Finding a way to win is what World Cups are all about," he said. "You are going to have to be tough, you are going to have to deal with the pressure. Expectation on New Zealand will be huge, on South Africa as defending champ and we will have expectation on us from our public to do well.
"World Cups are all about pressure, dealing with it off the field and obviously on the field where you get into close games in the last 10 minutes and I'm sure there will be a game like that for whoever wins it," Johnson said.
Sides who fought back from adversity to grind out close games in the knockout format would learn a great deal about themselves, he said.
England would head to their Dunedin base this weekend to begin preparations for their opening game against Argentina in the new stadium. They were starting to recover after their long trip and veteran lock Simon Shaw had joined the party after being a late starter because of flu.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011:09:02:01:02:15 by Rarua.