Badge, 'Samoa'

item details

NameBadge, 'Samoa'

ProductionRugby World Cup Limited; commissioner; 2011; New Zealand
Badge King; manufacturer(s); 2011; New Zealand

Classificationbadges

Materialsmetal, paper, plastic, cardboard, ink

DimensionsOverall: 70mm (width), 110mm (height), 8mm (depth)

Registration NumberGH023326

Credit linePurchased 2012

Overview

This 'Samoa' badge was sold as a souvenir during the Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011. The Rugby World Cup was a major international sporting event which was hosted by New Zealand and won by New Zealand (the All Blacks).

The badge is an example of RWC fans’ material culture, particularly for Pacific fans and more specifically, those of Samoan heritage or with a family connection to this nation. Samoan supporters were a widely visible group as many decorated or painted their family vehicles with Samoa’s bold red and blue country colours and large and small flags. Fans also organised several flash mobs across New Zealand in central public locations to demonstrate the proud and strong voice of ‘Le Manu Samoa’ through the Siva Tau (the Samoan War Dance). The five-star ‘Southern Cross’ constellation featured in the top left corner of Samoa’s national flag (but more down the centre line of this badge) consists of a cross-shape of white stars.