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The 2019 Rugby World Cup has kicked off (excuse the pun). And it’s not only about tries, line-outs, mauls, rucks and scrums. According to AutoTrader, it’s also about power and torque.
AutoTrader reveals that there is a big aspect to Rugby that is sometimes forgotten: the motoring brands that are affiliated to this sporting event. From being a worldwide partner to the event, to providing a vehicle to an individual player; Rugby and the motor industry go hand-in-hand.
Land Rover, for instance, is an Official Worldwide Partner of the Rugby World Cup. It will provide a fleet of vehicles during the tournament to help facilitate the world’s third biggest sporting event.
The company is also sponsoring ‘Impact Beyond’, the official tournament legacy programme of World Rugby, which introduces thousands of children to rugby.
Land Rover is also sponsoring many of the individual players (some sponsorships come via dealers).
Rory Best, the current embattled captain of the Irish team, drives a sponsored Land Rover Discovery, courtesy of Northern Ireland’s largest family-owned vehicle retailer, the Donnelly Group.
Owen Farrell, captain of team England, is a Land Rover ambassador and drives a variety of products from this stable.
Going Down Under, Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is yet another Land Rover ambassador.
Closer to home, Siya Kolisi, captain of the South African team, is also a Land Rover fan.
Kolisi has been a Land Rover ambassador for the past five years. He recently exchanged his Range Rover Sport for a 3.0-litre diesel Discovery, and he’s even released an 11-song Spotify playlist that he listens to while driving.
BMW, Isuzu, Kia and Ford are also supporters of Rugby players or teams. Guilhem Guirado, captain of France, signed his first personal endorsement deal with BMW in 2016.
Isuzu announced its sponsorship of the Welsh Rugby Union back in 2017. This is a long-term partnership, which will see the Isuzu brand take pride of place on the chests of the Welsh male and female international players until 2021.
Pablo Matera captain of Argentina, is sponsored by Kia while the New Zealand Rugby Union is sponsored by Ford.
