Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the William Webb Ellis Trophy to New Zealand seven days before the start of the Rugby World Cup.
Key was on the tarmac at Auckland Airport when the the trophy arrived from London today (Friday), escorted by International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset.
The trophy is kept at IRB headquarters in Dublin and has been repaired and polished in preparation for the tournament.
The World Cup final will be played at Auckland's Eden Park on Oct. 23.