New Zealand Rugby has unveiled Tū Kōtahi Aotearoa the unique trophy that will be presented to the winner of Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020.
Created by Otaki carver Bill Doyle, the trophy represents the coming together of the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders, and Highlanders in the wake of the disruption and turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tū Kōtahi Aotearoa, which translates to Stand As One New Zealand, will be on display at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch for the Crusaders crunch match against the Hurricanes at 7.05pm tomorrow before heading north to Eden Park for the Blues v Chiefs match at 3.35pm on Sunday.
The trophy remains up for grabs heading into Round 7 of Super Rugby Aotearoa with the Crusaders holding a five-point lead at the top of the table on 18 points, ahead of the Blues (13), the Hurricanes (12), and the Highlanders (10). Only the Chiefs (4) are mathematically out of contention.
New Zealand Rugby says carved out of totara, the Tū Kōtahi Aotearoa base represents an upturned waka. The traditional pounamu mere mounted on top signifies the strength and unity rugby has shown to create Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa and bring the rugby community back together.
The designs in the wood were puhoro, traditional Māori leg tattoo, and unanahi, which represent the scales of a fish.
The trophy has a special rugby connection for Doyle, whose son Sam (Ngāti Raukawa) was an original member of the Hurricanes in 1996, played fullback for the Māori All Blacks against the 1993 British and Irish Lions and represented Manawatu and Wellington.
[Source : AllBlacks.com]
