Rugby’s glamour 44-day event will unfold at Sydney’s Telstra Stadium on October 10 when defending champions Australia clash with Argentina and conclude with the Rugby World Cup 2003 final before 80,000 fans and a television audience of hundreds of millions at the same venue on November 22.

Overall, 48 matches featuring the world’s top 20 rugby nations will be played in 11 Australian cities for the sport’s ultimate prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, which the Australian Wallabies have twice raised above their heads - in 1991 and 1999.

“We are absolutely delighted that Jacob’s Creek will be associated with one of the premium sporting occasions in the world, one that rivals the Olympic Games and the Soccer World Cup for viewer participation and prestige,” Mr Christian Porta, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Orlando Wyndham, makers of Jacob’s Creek said.

The sponsorship will provide Australia’s most popular wine with exclusive supply rights at all RWC 2003 venues and official events, the use of the RWC 2003 Supplier mark and associated intellectual property on its wines, packaging and printed literature, ground signage, match program advertising and access to tickets.

Importantly, the use of the RWC 2003 mark and associated intellectual property has been secured in some of the most important markets for Jacob’s Creek, namely the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and France.

“It is very appropriate that Jacob’s Creek will be enjoyed in conjunction with an international sporting event of this magnitude considering the international success our brand enjoys,” Mr Porta said.

“More than one million glasses of Jacob’s Creek are consumed daily around the world and there can be no better indicator of its popularity than that.”

First released in 1976, Jacob’s Creek has been the most popular wine brand in Australia for more than a decade, with more than 5.9 million cases sold worldwide last year. More than any other wine, it has led Australia’s spectacular export charge with more than 80 per cent of its sales now occurring in more than 60 countries.

“It is especially pleasing to note that Jacob’s Creek, which a decade ago was strictly a wine enjoyed by Australians, is now the number one brand in markets such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ireland, Scandinavia and Asia.” Mr Porta said.

The brand enjoys a rich association with the history of Australian wine. When Bavarian-born Johann Gramp planted his first vine cuttings beside Jacob’s Creek in South Australia more than 150 years ago his modest vineyard marked the birth of Australia’s leading wine region, the Barossa Valley.

Mike Miller, Managing Director of Rugby World Cup Ltd, said: "I am delighted to welcome Jacob's Creek as one of RWC's suppliers.

"The RWC 2003 is the world's fastest growing major sporting occasion and we look forward to working with our suppliers to run a successful and memorable event."

Website: www.jacobscreek.com.au