Webb Ellis Cup
Encyclopedia
The Webb Ellis Cup is the trophy awarded to the winner of the Rugby World Cup
. The Cup is named after William Webb Ellis
, who is often credited as the inventor of rugby football
. The trophy is silver gilt and has been presented to the winner of the Rugby World Cup since the first competition in 1987
. It has been held by Australia
(twice, in 1991 and 1999), South Africa
(twice, in 1995 and 2007), New Zealand (twice, in 1987 and 2011) and England
(2003).
The 38 centimetre trophy weighs 4.5kgs, is gilded silver and is supported by two cast scroll handles. On one handle there is a head of a satyr
, on the other there is head of a nymph
. On the face of the trophy, the words International Rugby Football Board and below that arch The Webb Ellis Cup are engraved. The Webb Ellis Cup is also referred to (incorrectly) as the "Webb Ellis Trophy" or colloquially as "Bill", a nickname coined by the 1991 Rugby World Cup winners, the Wallabies
.
and the other is a 1986 replica.
John Kendall-Carpenter, former England
forward
and the organiser of the first Rugby World Cup and Bob Weighill, the secretary of the International Rugby Board
also a former England forward, visited Garrard's, the crown jeweller in Regent Street
, London
. Director Richard Jarvis, brought the particular cup down from the vault and showed it to both of them.
It was chosen for use in February 1987, Ronnie Dawson of Ireland, Keith Rowlands of Wales
, Bob Stuart and Dick Littlejohn of New Zealand and the Australians
Nick Shehadie and Ross Turnbull approved of the choice of the trophy.
It was soon named "The Webb Ellis Cup". New Zealand become the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup when they won the 1987 Rugby World Cup. The Webb Ellis Cup has been held by four nations; New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England.
The current holders are New Zealand after narrowly beating France 8-7 in the 2011 Final in Auckland. The trophy was until recently on display in Newlands
, South Africa, where it had stayed for two years following the victory. Last year it was returned to the home of the IRB, Ireland. One cup recently went on tour around the New Zealand Provinces along with the Tri Nations, Bledisloe Cup, Hillary Shield, Women's World Cup and the Junior World Cup trophies.
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
. The Cup is named after William Webb Ellis
William Webb Ellis
Rev. William Webb Ellis was an Anglican clergyman who is famous for allegedly being the inventor of Rugby football whilst a pupil at Rugby School....
, who is often credited as the inventor of rugby football
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
. The trophy is silver gilt and has been presented to the winner of the Rugby World Cup since the first competition in 1987
1987 Rugby World Cup
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. New Zealand and Australia agreed to co-host the first ever tournament with New Zealand hosting seventeen pool stage matches, two quarter-finals and the final with Australia being the junior partner hosting seven pool matches, two...
. It has been held by Australia
Australia national rugby union team
The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
(twice, in 1991 and 1999), South Africa
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
(twice, in 1995 and 2007), New Zealand (twice, in 1987 and 2011) and England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
(2003).
The 38 centimetre trophy weighs 4.5kgs, is gilded silver and is supported by two cast scroll handles. On one handle there is a head of a satyr
Satyr
In Greek mythology, satyrs are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus — "satyresses" were a late invention of poets — that roamed the woods and mountains. In myths they are often associated with pipe-playing....
, on the other there is head of a nymph
Nymph
A nymph in Greek mythology is a female minor nature deity typically associated with a particular location or landform. Different from gods, nymphs are generally regarded as divine spirits who animate nature, and are usually depicted as beautiful, young nubile maidens who love to dance and sing;...
. On the face of the trophy, the words International Rugby Football Board and below that arch The Webb Ellis Cup are engraved. The Webb Ellis Cup is also referred to (incorrectly) as the "Webb Ellis Trophy" or colloquially as "Bill", a nickname coined by the 1991 Rugby World Cup winners, the Wallabies
Wallabies
A wallaby is the informal name for any of about thirty species of Australian animal.Wallaby may also refer to:* Wallaby ammunition carrier, a variant of the Canadian Ram tank* Wallaby , Japanese fantasy manga...
.
History
There are 2 official Webb Ellis Cups, which are used interchangeably. One cup is a 1906 trophy made by Carrington and Co. of London, which was a Victorian design of a 1740 cup by Paul de LameriePaul de Lamerie
Paul de Lamerie was an English silversmith. The Victoria and Albert Museum describes him as the "greatest silversmith working in England in the 18th century". Though his mark raises the market value of silver, his output was large and not all his pieces are outstanding...
and the other is a 1986 replica.
John Kendall-Carpenter, former England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
forward
Rugby union positions
In the game rugby union, there are fifteen players on each team, comprising eight forwards and seven backs . Depending upon the competition, there may be up to eight replacement players. Early games consisted primarily of forwards that attacked plus a handful of "tends" that played back in defence...
and the organiser of the first Rugby World Cup and Bob Weighill, the secretary of the International Rugby Board
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
also a former England forward, visited Garrard's, the crown jeweller in Regent Street
Regent Street
Regent Street is one of the major shopping streets in London's West End, well known to tourists and Londoners alike, and famous for its Christmas illuminations...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Director Richard Jarvis, brought the particular cup down from the vault and showed it to both of them.
It was chosen for use in February 1987, Ronnie Dawson of Ireland, Keith Rowlands of Wales
Welsh Rugby Union
The Welsh Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Wales, recognised by the International Rugby Board.The union's patron is Queen Elizabeth II, and her grandson Prince William of Wales became the Vice Royal Patron of the Welsh Rugby Union as of February 2007.-History:The roots of the...
, Bob Stuart and Dick Littlejohn of New Zealand and the Australians
Australian Rugby Union
The Australian Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Australia. It was founded in 1949 and is a member of the International Rugby Board the sport's governing body. It consists of eight member unions, representing each state and territory...
Nick Shehadie and Ross Turnbull approved of the choice of the trophy.
It was soon named "The Webb Ellis Cup". New Zealand become the first nation to win the Webb Ellis Cup when they won the 1987 Rugby World Cup. The Webb Ellis Cup has been held by four nations; New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England.
The current holders are New Zealand after narrowly beating France 8-7 in the 2011 Final in Auckland. The trophy was until recently on display in Newlands
Newlands, Cape Town
Newlands is an upmarket suburb of Cape Town, South Africa.It is located at the foot of Table Mountain in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, and is the wettest suburb in South Africa due to its high winter rainfall...
, South Africa, where it had stayed for two years following the victory. Last year it was returned to the home of the IRB, Ireland. One cup recently went on tour around the New Zealand Provinces along with the Tri Nations, Bledisloe Cup, Hillary Shield, Women's World Cup and the Junior World Cup trophies.