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Tomorrow marks 'Two Years to Go' or 730 days until the opening match of Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) and fans all over New Zealand are invited to join in the celebrations.
Auckland
Aucklanders can join in the festivities at Queen Elizabeth Square (opposite Britomart) from noon to 2pm. Kids can take part in Rippa Rugby games, meet former All Blacks and one lucky junior player will receive a limited-edition souvenir Rugby ball from Rugby World Cup 1987. For more information, please
click here.
Wellington
Wellington residents can begin their countdown to RWC 2011 tomorrow with the launch of a countdown clock on the New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZX) building at the Wellington waterfront. The clock goes live at midnight tonight. Please
click here for more on Wellington's RWC 2011 preparations.
Nelson
Nelson will celebrate its Italian connection with three long lunches taking place around the region. Trafalgar Street will be lined with over 650 diners enjoying a 'RWC 2011 Long Lunch' and other festivities including an attempt to make New Zealand's longest strand of pasta. Another free long lunch will take place at Richmond Mall and Mapua Wharf will host a BYO long lunch for 400 people. Please
click here for more information.
Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited (RNZ 2011) Chief Executive Martin Snedden is encouraging New Zealanders to support the events in their local area.
"There is already a real buzz throughout the country around Rugby World Cup 2011 and the 'Two Years to Go' milestone is a great way to celebrate. Several of the host regions have put together some fabulous events to mark the occasion and I hope that Kiwis young and old will join in the fun," he commented.
Official events involving key stakeholders including RNZ 2011, the International Rugby Board, the New Zealand Rugby Union and the New Zealand Government will take place in the morning at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton and at Parliament in Wellington later tomorrow evening.