The Webb Ellis Cup is beginning its tour around New Zealand in the lead up to the start of the Rugby World Cup.
The cup is the centrepiece of the Rugby World Cup Roadshow which starts its tour of 27 towns and cities in Bluff on Monday.
Rugby World Cup 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden says the four-week long roadshow will be about continuing to raise awareness and excitement levels.
"Having people understand that it's about rugby but its also about New Zealand. There's a huge part of what we're doing here that's about the festival, it's about how New Zealanders are showing themselves off."
The cup is housed in a custom-designed truck along with the Bledisloe Cup and other trophies.
From Bluff, it will be flown to Stewart Island, and on Tuesday moves to Invercargill and to Queenstown on Wednesday.
The convoy will make its way up the east coast of the South Island, arriving in Christchurch on Saturday.
The tournament runs from 9 September to 23 October. The final will be played at Eden Park in Auckland.
