Super Super 15 Trophy

We had an extra-special addition on the check-out at work last week. Tony Brown was on the island and he brought along the Super 15 Rugby Trophy that the Highlanders won last year. Stewart Island missed out when it was taken on tour around Otago and Southland in July last year but it was well worth the surprise when Tony carried it in. It spent a fun 24 hours in the shop before being taken over to the South Sea Hotel - lots of photo opportunities for everyone.

Tony Brown with the trophy

A stunning addition to our front counter

Owner-operator of Ship to Shore Four Square, Sam Jenkinson

I've been looking online for the history of the cup: Wikipedia has this...

On 30 June 2011, SANZAR unveiled the new trophy that will be presented to the winners of the Super Rugby final scheduled for Saturday, 9 July 2011.
The trophy, which will be in use from 2011 and beyond, was crafted from solid stainless steel and polished to a mirror finish. It has a height of 65 cm and a mass of 18 kilograms.
The trophy was designed by the company responsible for the 2000 Olympic Torch, Blue Sky Design of Sydney. The trophy was manufactured by Box and Dice Pty Ltd also based in Sydney.
SANZAR CEO, Greg Peters, said “The shape of the trophy is centred around three curved legs, each representing the Conferences involved in the Super Rugby competition.”
According to Peters, “The champions trophy is the 'big one', and will become the ultimate symbol of Super Rugby supremacy in the years to come.”
The colour on each leg corresponds to the Conferences with gold for Australia, black for New Zealand, and green for South Africa.

And ESPN The conference trophies are unique to the respective country, with the panels inside the three curved legs, representing the three nations, coloured in black for New Zealand, green for South Africa and gold for Australia. The legs of the trophy reach upward referencing the arms of players in a lineout, and the legs also create the shape of a rugby ball in the centre of the trophy. The top of each trophy has a cup to allow for the tradition of a celebratory drink.

SANZAR chief executive Greg Peters said it was pertinent that the respective winners be presented with a trophy for their achievements. "The new Finals format, with six teams involved, also means that a non-Conference winner could claim overall honours and the Super Rugby champion's trophy," Peters said. "The chosen trophy design reflects the core elements of Rugby - tradition, physical toughness, camaraderie, and skill."

Its weight seems differ: it's impressively heavy and definitely over 15kg but Wikipedia has it as 18kg and this article has it at 28kg. Whatever its weight, the winners must have stronger muscles than me as they manage to lift it over their heads single-handed!

There will be a new trophy for 2016 which means the Highlanders will keep the 2011 version in their trophy cabinet forever.