KIWIS COMING HOME TO CELEBRATE HISTORIC WORLD CUP TRIUMPH

The Pirtek Kiwis will be back together for the first time since winning the Rugby League World Cup when they assemble in Auckland in two weeks for a two-day public celebration of their historic feat.

New Zealand Rugby League chairman Ray Haffenden today confirmed the players, coaching staff and management will be reunited - and back in possession of the impressive World Cup trophy - to relive their 34-20 win over the Kangaroos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on November 22.

He said two public events formed the basis of the team's programme.

The first will be the launch of the NZRL's Kids 2 Kiwis initiative at Henham Park in Otahuhu on Sunday, February 1. The Pirtek Kiwis will be heavily involved in this event, which will be televised live by Prime TV.

The following day (Monday, February 2), the world champions will be feted by Auckland Mayor John Banks at a lunchtime civic reception at the Viaduct Harbour.

Also staged on February 1 will be the 2008 NZRL Awards - televised by Sky Sport - with the Pirtek Kiwis all in attendance.

"This has been a huge undertaking for us bringing the team back together, one that couldn't have been achieved without the help of a lot of people," said Haffenden.

"We informed the NRL clubs concerned of our plans before Christmas and we're very thankful for their support. It's brilliant to have Prime TV and Sky Sport involved as well.

"Everything has only just come together this week but now, with the launch of Kids 2 Kiwis and the civic reception at the Viaduct Harbour, the public will have the chance to celebrate the greatest success in New Zealand rugby league history.

"It's also a chance for the players to thank the public for their support in helping them reach our game's pinnacle.

"It's not just about one World Cup win either. Also involved will be the Kiwi Ferns, who won the women's Rugby League World Cup for the third straight time the same night the Pirtek Kiwis qualified for their final.

"There is so much to enjoy about what has been achieved and we invite the fans to turn out in big numbers to honour these teams. These are exciting times for all of us."

The accolades have continued to roll in for the Pirtek Kiwis following New Zealand's first World Cup win since the competition began in 1954. They've been voted one of the four finalists for the Team of the Year at the Halberg Awards and Kearney is also one of the four finalists in the Coach of the Year category. The winners will be announced at the annual Halberg Awards dinner in Auckland on February 3 with a strong contingent of players plus Kearney set to attend.

Kearney was thrilled the victorious squad would be back to together in two weeks and able to mix with the fans.

"Now we will have the chance to thank the public and to all enjoy the World Cup success again," he said.

"It's ideal that today's players, these world champions, can be involved in the launch of Kids 2 Kiwis, which is so vital to the sport's future in New Zealand. It's also humbling to know we'll be given a civic reception.

"At the same time, this weekend will be a good opportunity for us to put some plans in place for 2009 with the NRL season just a few weeks away.

"In May we're back in Brisbane for the Anzac Test against Australia and there's also the Four Nations tournament in the northern hemisphere at the end of the season.

"It's important that we back up the World Cup win."

Kids 2 Kiwis has been hatched in a bid to increase registrations in the critical 6-12 year old age bracket.

The Pirtek Kiwis and the Kiwi Ferns will both be involved in activity stations as they help to run coaching clinics for both selected club players and the general public at the launch (due to start at 10.00am).

The players will also mingle with the crowd signing autographs and having photos taken while the public will also be able to have photos taken with the World Cup trophy.

Later there will be exhibition games before the players break away to get dressed in their formal gear for the NZRL Awards show which will be staged in the Otahuhu Rugby League Club's clubrooms. The audience of about 300 people will include the Pirtek Kiwis, the Kiwi Ferns, NZRL directors and officials plus sponsors.

After the awards event, the players will rejoin the public on the field at Henham Park.

"This is all about enjoying the success and trying to use it to give the game a much stronger base at grass roots level," said Haffenden.

"We need more kids playing rugby league in the 6-12 range."

To that end he said the Rugby League World Cup will go on tour to key areas in the country as a focal point of the Kids 2 Kiwis drive.

"To encourage increased participation we will provide incentives for the kids to register in the mini and mod football grades in 2009," he said.

This will include free posters, Kids 2 Kiwis wrist bands, Kiwi tattoos and promotional mail-outs for those registered in the League Net database (like the Captain Cayless Christmas postcards which were sent out to thousands of registered young players around the country late last year).

"During the February/March registration period, we'll be sending the Rugby League World Cup trophy on tour to spend time in each district that has mini-mod football," said Haffenden.

The Pirtek Kiwis will attend another dinner with NZRL directors, staff and sponsors on Sunday night.

Monday's civic reception, due to start at noon, will be held in the area of the Viaduct Harbour (at the end of Halsey Street) which will be the public focal point for the Louis Vuitton Pacific yacht racing series starting in Auckland at the end of the month.

Source: NZRL