The sport's next global showpiece will be staged in New Zealand in 2011 © IRB

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Players/Officials Bernard Lapasset

Teams New Zealand

The 2011 rugby World Cup in New Zealand has attracted its first major sponsor.

Emirates Airlines was unveiled in Auckland today as the first "worldwide partner" for the tournament and will become its official airline. Emirates is one of the leading sponsors of sport around the world, also supplying sponsorship for the soccer World Cup in 2010 and cricket World Cup 2011.

It also sponsors four legs of the International Rugby Board's world sevens series and a number of provincial sides and international sevens teams.

Rugby World Cup Chairman, Bernard Lapasset, said: "We are delighted to have the renowned international aviation company Emirates Airline on board as a worldwide partner for Rugby World Cup 2011. The tournament is now one of the largest sporting events in the world and its prestige is clearly highlighted by the involvement of blue chip companies such as Emirates."

"Furthermore, it is pleasing that we will be in partnership with a company that has a long-standing history of supporting the Game. Emirates is the official sponsor of the IRB international match officials and it was an official tournament sponsor of Rugby World Cup 2007 in France. For 2011 the company has strengthened its commitment to the Tournament by becoming a Worldwide Partner."

"Emirates Airline's commitment to Rugby is also evident from its existing sponsorship programmes that include the London, Edinburgh, George and Dubai Sevens tournaments - which are part of the IRB Sevens World Series. It is also the team sponsor of the Samoa and England National Sevens teams, and Australian Super 14 team Western Force."

"We look forward to continuing our productive and enjoyable working relationship with Emirates Airline in the years ahead," added Mr Lapasset.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark welcomed today's announcement and said: "This is a significant milestone for Rugby World Cup 2011. Securing such a high-profile and respected sponsor is a major step for the tournament and will help New Zealand put on the best World Cup yet."

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