Cloverdale Cricket and Sports

Archive for the ‘Rugby’ Category

Alcoholic products like beer are associated with many sports, especially big championship games or events. The Rugby World Cup is considered by many sports observers to be one of the biggest global events in the world and a particularly large occasion for beer drinking.

Beer companies, especially a global beer brand like Guinness, need to associate themselves with such events. Rugby has its roots within the United Kingdom and in Ireland, so several draught beers are typically associated with the sport. Whether it is before the game, during the Cup, or after the Cup, fans want to imbibe on alcohol as a celebration of the event.

The Rugby World Cup welcomes corporate sponsorship and advertisements from beer companies from around the world during the games. Hence, trying to market the beer company during advertisements leading up to and on the days for the Rugby World Cup are essential marketing strategies. This can also tap in with the typical countries that usually host or play in the Rugby World Cup: mostly European countries that have a popular beer culture. Global and regional beer brands that come from the UK, Ireland, South Africa, France, Germany, Russia, New Zealand, Australia, among others, are popular locations for national rugby teams and hosts to the Rugby World Cup.

The marketing strategies can also utilize a lot of new media, like social media, to get the advertisements across a larger customer base. Watchers of rugby might not have the chance to watch many games on the television, so they might turn online for coverage or play by play. These customers might also associate themselves with social networks that are catered to the Rugby World Cup or rugby in general. Catering ads within these markets will be a benefit to global beer producers.

For example, Guinness made a YouTube advertisement for the Rugby World Cup for 2011 held in New Zealand. This one minute ad shows the primal spirit of rugby with men battling on a muddy field for supremacy. The men are dressed as knights and medieval British warriors, preparing for a fierce “capture the flag” like battle. The battle soon appear to mimic the procedures and sporting styles found in rugby. The winning player looks up as he puts his flag down on the muddy ground and an image of Guinness draught is shown, foaming right after it is poured. Such commercials will resonate with rugby fans and beer lovers during the Rugby World Cup.

This September, the planet’s premier rugby competition is coming to New Zealand.   For the first time since 1987, when the Kiwis co-hosted and won the inaugural competition, Rugby World Cup games will be staged in the homeland of the All Blacks.  The New Zealanders will be determined to put on a spectacle to remember, while their southern hemisphere foes would love nothing more than to win the game’s biggest prize on rival soil.  Only one thing is guaranteed: this quadrennial competition will be a treat for rugby fans the world over.

The New Zealand rugby team is one of the most famous sporting entities in the world; however, this perceived dominance has not been translated into World Cup trophies.  That 1987 triumph aside, the All Blacks have all too often fallen at the final hurdle, with the semi-finals being their most frequent departure point.  They are red-hot favourites to win this year in front of their home fans, and stars such as Dan Carter and rugby league convert Sonny Bill Williams will not want to disappoint.

The sternest challenge to the Kiwis is expected to come from their fellow Tri-Nations competitors: South Africa and Australia.  South Africa are the reigning champions; nevertheless, they will need to improve their recent performances if they are to overcome their more in-form southern hemisphere rivals.  Their fans will be hoping last autumn’s defeat to Scotland has served a much-needed wake-up call to the squad.

Australia will be in the mood to crash the New Zealand party, and they have good cause to feel optimistic.  They ended a 10-game losing streak to their eternal enemy with a 26-24 triumph in Hong Kong last year, and this is certain to give them confidence for the World Cup.  Central to this victory was the return of Quade Cooper, and assuming the Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year stays fit, the Aussies will have a great chance of a memorable triumph.

The northern hemisphere teams have not been discussed as front-runners for the tournament, but a few notable exceptions could spring a surprise.  Fresh from their 6 Nations triumph, and as losing finalists from the last World Cup, Martin Johnson’s England are worth watching.  The classy French side can be breathtaking, but their recent form has been patchy at best.  Moreover, the  Irish will be looking to make up for their disappointing showing last time round, and can beat the big boys on their day, as shown by their recent victory over England.

This year’s Rugby World Cup is one of the most hyped in memory, and it will surely be a dream for any lover of the game.  If you would like to experience the tournament first hand, you can book flights to New Zealand with Webjet, Australia’s largest online travel service.  American Express credit card holders can pay for Webjet flights with Membership Reward points.  This new Webjet service has been exclusively designed for customers with American Express credit cards who are enrolled in the Membership rewards scheme.