Press Office

MasterCard offers fans the chance to show their pride

Three mammoth All Blacks jerseys will be accompanying the team throughout the 2006 Philips Tri Nations series in New Zealand.

The MasterCard Worldwide-sponsored jerseys, which measure four meters by three meters in size, were present at the recent Christchurch match and will be at Wellington (22 July, New Zealand v South Africa) and Auckland (19 August, New Zealand v Australia) for All Blacks fans to sign prior to the games.

MasterCard Worldwide is a major sponsor of the All Blacks and is inviting fans to show their pride and commitment to the team by signing the jerseys.
“New Zealanders are still on a high from last year’s Philips Tri Nations win and the fact that 2005 was such a successful year for New Zealand rugby.

All New Zealanders would be hoping that the All Blacks will be able to repeat last year’s wins and fans will obviously want to do their bit to support their team. The Show Your Pride Jerseys will offer them that opportunity,” said Bob Whiddon, senior vice president and country manager, New Zealand, MasterCard Worldwide.

The Show Your Pride Jerseys will be available for fans to sign and write well-wishes for two hours prior to the Philips Tri Nations matches at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium and Gate 24 at Eden Park in Auckland.
The jerseys will be presented to the All Blacks at Auckland International Airport on 20 October when they depart for their end-of-year tour.

In addition, MasterCard cardholders will have the added benefit of gaining priority entrance to the Christchurch and Auckland matches. Cardholders will simply have to show their MasterCard cards and valid entrance tickets at selected gates to get priority access to the stadium. MasterCard cardholders will also receive free MasterCard and All Blacks branded cushions upon entry to the games to make their Philips Tri Nations experience even more enjoyable.

“MasterCard has been a sponsor of the All Blacks since 2003, therefore we are giving our  cardholders, many of whom are rugby fans, priority entrance to the Philips Tri Nations matches,” added Whiddon.