From Palmerston North to Japan
Rugby fans in Japan will get a glimpse of priceless New Zealand rugby heritage and life in Palmerston North at an exhibition for the Rugby World Cup.
The New Zealand Rugby Museum, with help from Palmerston North City Council, has created an exhibition that will be set up in Toyota City, Japan, during the Rugby World Cup. About 20 items from museum’s collection will be on show, and the council has made videos to give visitors an insight into life in Palmerston North.
The exhibition will be located in a shopping complex in the city, alongside a display from the Italian Rugby Museum. Toyota City is hosting four World Cup games, including one between the All Blacks and Italy.
Museum director Stephen Berg said he was approached by officials from Toyota City about four months ago and asked to create an exhibition. ‘‘It’s a way to become a proper national museum, by going to the international stage ... We’re not just taking objects, but we’re creating a story about rugby.’’ There would be various items from the museum showcasing the rugby relationship between New Zealand and Japan from its beginnings in the 1930s, to their more recent encounters, and other special items, including the cap of George Tyler, who played in the first seven All Blacks tests.
A match ball from the game between the All Blacks and Japan during the 2011 Rugby World Cup will be there, as well as jerseys from the New Zealand and Japan university teams that played each other in 1936, the first rugby matches played between the two nations.
Council communications and marketing general manager Sacha Haskell said the videos for the exhibition will showcase student life in the city and a traditional Ma¯ ori welcome.
‘‘This is all about taking Palmerston North to the world.’’
The exhibition will run from September 20 to October 12.