A rugby statue nearly 2.5 metres high has been presented to the Canterbury Rugby Football Union by French Minister of Sport David Douillet.
The black resin statue, depicting a player running forward with 14 shadows of players trailing behind, was officially handed over at Rugby Park in Christchurch on Thursday.
Created for the Rugby World Cup by artist Laurence Bonnel, it has been gifted as a post-quake symbol of solidarity with Canterbury.
Canterbury Union chief executive Hamish Riach says it is a striking symbol of support for the people of Christchurch, and particularly poignant considering this week's World Cup final between the All Blacks and France.
