Rugby
“Standing next to the New Zealand team will be amazing!”
Jacob comes from one of the world’s biggest Rugby nations. The 13-year-old Kiwi travelled half way around the world for the experience of a lifetime: to deliver the match ball onto the field and lead out his beloved All Blacks at a Rugby World Cup 2015 game.
“It will be amazing, a whole new experience,” says Jacob as he surveys the pitch and the still empty stands at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. He’s here several hours before the game to rehearse his Match Ball Delivery Moment.
“I couldn’t imagine what it would be like,” he adds. “I wasn’t sure about anything.”
DHL has searched the globe to bring 48 children from 42 countries to the UK for one unforgettable experience – to deliver the match ball to a Rugby World Cup 2015 game. Jacob won the chance to deliver the match ball onto the field of play when New Zealand played its quarter final match against France on October 17.
A father-son moment
Jacob started playing Rugby at five years old. “My favorite position is my position, so prop,” he says.
He fell in love with the sport right away, something that was no surprise to family and friends. His Dad, Paul, is a huge Rugby fan. Jacob joined the Stoke Rugby Club at age six and has been fully committed to the game ever since. He went to his first All Blacks game with his dad at age seven.
“It’s very special to be here with my dad – he loves Rugby, I love Rugby. It’s a new experience for both of us really,” he says.
“I’m very excited, quite emotional actually,” Paul adds. “I can’t believe my boy is going to run the ball out. He’s got that memory for a lifetime and I think that’s what it is.”
“He’s got that memory for a lifetime.”
Rugby nation
You could argue that Jacob’s island nation is the most Rugby-crazed country in the world.
“Rugby in New Zealand, it’s a big part of our culture, a big part of our country,” says Jacob. “But I’m sure it could get bigger.”
So you can only imagine what it might be like to join your national heroes – the All Blacks – on the field at a Rugby World Cup.
“When I’m standing next to the New Zealand team, it will be amazing,” he says. “I’m excited, and I’m quite nervous.”
You can tell Jacob is a bit anxious, but also that he’s having loads of fun.
“When I walk out onto the field, I’m going to be thinking ‘don’t screw up, don’t screw up,’” he laughs.
His friends back home are sure to be watching. “They’re all pretty jealous,” he says.
The joking ends when asked who he thinks will win the game.
“The All Blacks are going to win it,” he says without hesitation.
Well, New Zealand not only won, they blew away France in a nine-try show of absolute Rugby domination.
Now that’s an experience that will last a lifetime.
Congratulations, Jacob!
Match Ball Delivery moments
Learn more about Jacob and watch him tell the story about when his dad broke the news that he had won.
Watch more heartwarming stories of some of our other winners. Or, if you prefer a good read, find their stories right here on DHL InMotion.
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