Iveco’s journey in the world of rugby with the All Blacks, the New Zealand team for which it has been Official Global Sponsor from the start of this year, is about to reach its most exciting moment.
Tomorrow, the All Blacks will make their official debut on the pitch in Marseilles, with a definite objective: taking home a cup that they have not had since 1987. Twenty years during which the New Zealanders have won everything that it was possible to win, except the world title. The dream was made impossible by a sort of psychological black-out that seemed to afflict them whenever they took to the field for the World Cup, as well as by various events that were often pure bad luck.
This time, the All Blacks don’t want to miss their chance. Waiting for them in Marseilles will be the Italian team, which is very different to the team that they defeated so heavily in previous editions (70-6 in 1987; 101-3 in 1999 and 70-7 in 2003). On the contrary, Italy performed well in the Six Nations Cup, in which it scored its first victory in Scotland. It has every intention of taking its place amongst the elite of world rugby, by finishing up in the final eight for the first time in its history.
The debut match is therefore against opponents that the All Blacks must not under-estimate. The Kiwi team is starting this adventure with many more supporters when compared to the last World Championship, in first place the Iveco Stralis trucks, in immaculate black team livery and decorated with Maori tattoo emblems. The same trucks that have been travelling roads all over Europe since Spring 2007, under the strapline “Iveco and All Blacks: Built the Same Way”.
Iveco has organized many events for the Rugby World Cup, while complying with the strict rules of the International Federation that allow no sponsorship activities outside official events. In any case, Iveco will be involved in the activities that will take place inside the “Rugby Ball”, a gigantic oval ball installed by the New Zealand tourist board at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. But Iveco will also be present alongside the Italian Rugby Federation. Just a short distance away, in the prestigious surroundings of the Trocadero, again in the heart of Paris, there is the “Rugby Town” – an exclusive salon in which to meet all the stars of the World Cup – which includes “Made in Italy – the House of Rugby”, which Iveco is sponsoring. A prestige headquarters, a place in which to feel at home, and to enjoy, all together, the celebrations for the 2007 World Cup, but also a place for business. At the foot of the Trocadero, a personalized annexe to the House of Rugby will take the form of an Iveco truck which will act as a press room, equipped with computer workstations and Internet, and a space specially arranged for press conferences and services.
Iveco will also be accompanying the All Blacks by means of a number of buses to transport VIP clients. Two Domino HDH vehicles, of course decorated with Maori-style tattoo motifs, will be reserved for the New Zealand Federation, while another two Domino buses with Adidas decor will be provided for use by the German company, official technical sponsor for the event.
The organizers also chose Iveco buses – Irisbus – for the transport of teams and VIPs. Over 30 Evadys, tourist buses with a length of over 12 metres and seats for 50 passengers, were provided by Keolis, one of the principal public transport companies in Europe, for services that will be performed during the duration of the World Cup.