Fact file: NZ's giant rugby ball
The '100% Pure New Zealand' giant rugby ball is a touring venue used to celebrate the best of New Zealand in prominent international locations.
When the giant ball first appeared in Paris - under the Eiffel Tower during the 2007 Rugby World Cup - it attracted more than 24,000 visitors, and enormous international media attention.
The rugby ball's most recent venue was in Potters' Field between London's famous Tower Bridge and City Hall where it was open from 25 November - 2 December 2008.
Quick facts on 'The Rugby Ball':
- sited on Potters' Field between London's famous Tower Bridge and City Hall
- host to the IRB pool allocation draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup on 1 December
- measures 25 metres long, 17 metres wide and 12 metres high
- holds up to 220 people
- takes five days to construct
- air system works by two air pumps expelling 8,000 litres per second
- an estimated 600,000 conventional rugby balls would fill the giant ball
- designed and constructed by NZ's Inside Out productions, who were also responsible for the three-storey Louis Vuitton suitcase that toured the world for Louis Vuitton’s 150th anniversary celebrations
- awarded a Gold Award in the Design Institute of New Zealand's BeST Design Awards in October 2008.
Open to the public free-of-charge, the rugby ball uses the latest in audio-visual technology to take visitors on a virtual voyage through New Zealand that highlights the country's incredible natural history, rich cultural heritage and contemporary New Zealand culture.
During the period it was open in London, the rugby ball hosted a series of public and private events celebrating New Zealand.
Video new release:
Giant Rugby Ball scores another famous landmark
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