Rugby
Rugby is New Zealand’s national sport. It is embedded in the hearts and minds of Kiwis and watching the sport has become somewhat of a religion. Many New Zealanders would say it is an integral part of the country's culture.
The All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team, are one of the most feared opponents in the rugby world. Seeing them on the field in their black jerseys emblazoned with the silver fern, performing the haka, stirs pride in the hearts of Kiwis around the world.
The Rugby World Cup tournament is the world's third largest sporting event and New Zealand will host the event in 2011.
For those who might not know how the game is played - rugby is a rough and tumble game consisting of 15 players each side, trying to get an oval shaped (rugby) ball across the try line.
More information:
The story of rugby
Rugby: a simple guide
Rugby video news releases
Rugby World Cup
View these and more Rugby images from the Tourism New Zealand's Image Library. All images are available to download.
Please note image requests for All Blacks need to go through the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).
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All Black Troy Flavell dashes for the line during a rugby test match against South African archrivals, the Springboks. This international match was held at Eden Park in Auckland, one of New Zealand's premier rugby stadiums.
Photo credit: Jo Caird
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Enthusiastic rugby supporters cheering on the Waikato rugby team - affectionately known as the 'Moo-loos' - in honour of the region's dairy farming industry.
Along with its lush green farms, the Waikato region is now also famous as part of Middle-Earth.
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