Rugby World Cup 2011 muscled in on the State of Origin last week
with a two-minute-long television promo advertising the tournament
on Australia's Channel Nine.
The movie-style promo, filmed in New Zealand and starring former
Wallabies captain George Gregan, screened during the post-match
analysis on Channel Nine's broadcast. It will continue to feature
during Channel Nine's sporting coverage over the coming months,
building interest and awareness of the tournament and promoting the
channel as the home of Rugby World Cup coverage in
Australia.
Tourism New Zealand hosted Gregan and a Channel Nine film crew in
May to put together the promo and other Rugby World Cup 2011
material for the channel.
Tourism New Zealand General Manager Brand and International PR
Catherine Bates said the promo's screening during Australia's
premier Rugby League event would have positive spinoffs for New
Zealand.
"This epic movie-style promotion will dramatically help to build
excitement for Rugby World Cup 2011 and travel to New Zealand in
the lead up to and during the tournament. State of Origin games
have a huge following amongst our target audience and present a
major captive audience of sports fans."
Australian rugby fans are expected to make up 29,000 of the
anticipated 85,000 match international visitors expected to visit
New Zealand during Rugby World Cup 2011.
See here for more RWC
2011 news.