FEATURE

All Blacks flag flies proudly over Hamilton City Council

By Hamilton City Council

The All Blacks flag will fly atop the Hamilton City Council building this week following New Zealand's historic victory in the Rugby World Cup 2015 over the weekend.

New Zealand became the first nation to win the sport's most important trophy three times when the All Blacks over-powered Australia's Wallabies 34-17 at London venue Twickenham. The All Blacks also became the first team to successfully defend the William Webb Ellis Trophy, having broken a 24-year drought with a victory in 2011, when Hamilton was one of a number of New Zealand host cities for the tournament.

Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker said much of Hamilton stopped on Sunday morning to watch the final and share in the victory celebrations.


Photo courtesy of Hamilton City Council

“Hoisting the flag is Hamilton’s public recognition of how proud we are of the team," Mayor Hardaker says.

"It is fantastic achievement to win again, and Hamilton is especially proud of our local players from the Chiefs who have played outstanding rugby during the Rugby World Cup.  We welcome them home and say 'well done'.”

The All Blacks squad which claimed 2015 Rugby World Cup including several players in the Hamilton-based Chiefs Super Rugby squad – Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Brodie Retallick, Sonny Bill Williams, Sam Cane and Liam Messam – while Assistant Coach Ian Foster is a former Chiefs coach who is also based in Hamilton.