RWC 2011 Roadshow in Orewa

Updated: Despite cold temperatures and a 6.30am start, people turned out in force to be part of the Rugby World Cup Roadshow when it stopped at Orewa beach on Tuesday July 26.

The three-hour event started under lights and almost a 1000 people passed through the Roadshow truck to have their photo taken with the Webb Ellis Cup.

Along with plenty of locals, visitors included children from as far afield as Wellington and Christchurch.

Residents put their stamp on proceedings, with events involving all ages, from the junior Silverdale Rugby Club members who won a tug-of-war against their Mahurangi Club rivals, to older residents organised by Age Concern, who put on a spirited display with a televised mobility scooter race.

Other local entertainment included MC Red Beach Austin Powers impersonator Gary Brown, a Hibiscus Coast Hot Rodders car display, a team of Leisure Centre instructors, Maori kite-making, Pacific cheerleaders, Puhoi wood choppers and more.

While the Sheepworld lambs were popular with the crowd, one was also responsible for the day’s only injury, biting the finger of TVNZ reporter and weather presenter Tamati Coffey who made five live links to TV One’s Breakfast show during the event.

The team of the day was South Africa but it was participants dressed in support of Japan who claimed prizes of tickets to RWC games. Innovative use of a 97 cent tee shirt, big enough to be worn by two, won Whangaparaoa 15-year-olds Emily Clarke and Lilly Ander their tickets, while a sushi-costume, complete with chopsticks, proved successful for Silverdale Rugby Club member Riley Bonar, 8, of Kaukapakapa.

The community events were part of the nationwide Real NZ Festival running for all six weeks of the Rugby World Cup, at towns and cities throughout the country in a bid to encourage visitors to make additional stops outside of match cities.

A continually updated list of the action can be found at realnzfestival.com