NZ Rugby unveils All Blacks Experience

New Zealand Rugby has unveiled plans for a high-tec All Blacks-themed tourist attraction in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter.

The video, to coincide with the Rugby World Cup which kicks off in England on September 18, was created in collaboration with Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Content Licensing group, Sony Pictures Imageworks and Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Archives and Collections. Previous clips have featured everything from The Hobbit stars to models from the Sport Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

The video uses the Columbia Pictures global film franchise Men in Black as its inspiration and features American actor Rip Torn who reprises his role as Chief of the Men in Black.

All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw says the players had a great time making the video.

“I grew up listening to the iconic Men in Black movie soundtrack song”. Even less so. To the filmmaker’s credit, New Zealand musician Stan Walker saves the All Blacks from having to rap over Will Smith’s 1990s hip-hop classic by themselves. “Hopefully I’ve done it some justice”.

Mr Berg said he wasn’t anxious the Auckland facility would draw patrons away from the Palmerston North facility, which told the wider story of New Zealand rugby rather than just the All Blacks, and if anything it could channel people its way.

The airline’s latest video, Men In Black Safety Defenders, it is being rolled out across its fleet from today. “If rugby doesn’t work out for him he clearly has a promising career as a back-up singer”, McCaw said.

There can be no surer guarantee of public angst here than an All Blacks defeat, and the reaction to last Saturday’s 27-19 defeat by the Wallabies has been withering.

The head of marketing, brand and commercial development for New Zealand Rugby Todd Barberel is giving the afternoon keynote at the Mumbrella Sports Marketing Summit next month.