Grab good eyeful of rugby gold | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Northlanders painted it red- in return they get to see gold - and more of rugby's prized silverware before other Kiwis during a grand parade spanning two months.

The Great Rugby Road Trip will start in Kerikeri next Wednesday and in Whangarei the next day before heading to another 39 towns and cities around the country.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew said the tour was about saying thank you to New Zealanders for their wonderful support during the Rugby World Cup last year.

A custom-built black truck will transport the William Webb Ellis Cup, Bledisloe Cup, the Hillary Shield, IRB Women's World Cup, IRB Junior World Championship Trophy, and the Sevens World Series Trophy - all held by NZ.

The Rugby World Cup was on display for about an hour at Okara Park yesterday when the Blues' team ran skills, drills, and games with invited local club players.

The Northland Rugby Union has called on Northlanders to pull on Cambridge blue, bring their cameras and make sure the region is the best stop on the nationwide tour.

NRU development officer Brad Te Haara said the tour's start in the region was an indication of the effort authorities and the local community put into making the RWC a success through the Paint It Red campaign.

"We've got a strong partnership with Auckland Rugby and the NZRU and, at the end of the day, it's all about growing the game," Mr Te Haara said.

A reason for taking the trophies to schools around Northland was to promote rugby in secondary students because the numbers playing the game were not as expected, he said.

The trophies will be taken to the Taipa Area School, Kaitaia College and Abundant Life School in Kaitaia on Tuesday, but those visits will not be public events.

The first public showcase of the trophies will be at the Kerikeri Domain from 3pm to 6pm on Wednesday followed by Kensington Park on Thursday from 2pm to 5.30pm.

Fans will be able to enjoy a range of family activities and plenty of prizes, including Super Rugby jerseys and an all-expenses paid All Blacks' weekend test experience.

"We're hoping the tour rekindles the excitement of those magical six weeks and encourages people to keep backing rugby, whether it's by playing, refereeing, coaching, volunteering, or simply getting along and enjoying a game," Mr Tew said.

For trip updates, visit facebook.com/AllBlacks.