All Blacks show support for New Zealand memorial
Media Release: 2 November 2006.
The All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team, will today (Thursday, 2 November) make a special visit to the soon-to-be dedicated, New Zealand Memorial at Hyde Park Corner.
The All Blacks are taking time out of their rigorous training schedule, before their international clash with England on Sunday to show their support for the New Zealand Memorial.
The Memorial commemorates the New Zealand and United Kingdom relationship and honours the shared sacrifice during war times. During the visit, Brigadier Paul Southwell, New Zealand's London based Defence Advisor, will speak to the team about the close and longstanding, past and current military links New Zealand enjoys with the United Kingdom.
“We can’t attend the dedication of the New Zealand Memorial on Armistice Day because we’ll be playing France,” said All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw. “But we’re pleased to get a preview instead.”
“The team always wants to honour the overseas service of New Zealanders. It is an important part of our history - as a country and a team. And it’s great to see a rugby ball in the design. Rugby is an important part of our national identity.”
Called ‘Southern Stand’, the Memorial consists of 16 cross-shaped bronze standards, some of which tower 4.5 metres high above Hyde Park Corner. Each standard represents a different aspect of New Zealand life and is individually inscribed with text, patterns and sculptures.
The New Zealand Memorial official dedication ceremony will take place on
11 November, when The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will be joined by political figures and celebrities from both the United Kingdom and New Zealand, along with war veterans and over 1,500 members of the public.
At the Memorial site today the New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt, said “The All Blacks are some of New Zealand’s greatest ambassadors and we are delighted they have had a preview of the Memorial which we are extremely proud of.”
When the All Blacks play on Armistice Day they will wear an embroidered poppy on the sleeve of their test jerseys, continuing the tradition of honouring those New Zealand service men and women who have given their lives overseas.
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