- Award-winning Māori musician Rob Ruha to play during semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2021 at Eden Park on Saturday, 5 November
- Ruha adds to what has been an impressive line-up of RWC 2021 headline artists to perform during the tournament, including Rita Ora (8 October) and LADI6 (9 October), with Shapeshifter (5 November) and BENEE (12 November) still to come
- Tickets to RWC 2021 semi-finals are selling fast following record-breaking crowds throughout the tournament
- Tickets available at https://tickets2021.rugbyworldcup.com
Award-winning Māori musician Rob Ruha will perform during the semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2021 at Eden Park on Saturday, 5 November, as part of an incredible line-up including New Zealand’s leading electronic supergroup Shapeshifter.
Fans watching live at Eden Park will witness the top women’s 15s teams in the world compete for a place in the Rugby World Cup 2021 final. In addition, fans will enjoy an exclusive in-stadium only entertainment offering featuring show-stopping performances from Ruha and Shapeshifter on a purpose-built stage between the north and east stands at Eden Park.
Ruha will take the stage at half-time of the first semi-final, followed by Shapeshifter who will perform before the start of the second semi-final and again at half-time.
Hailing from Te Tairāwhiti, East Coast, Ruha adds to what has been an impressive line-up of RWC 2021 headline artists to perform during the tournament so far, including Rita Ora at the opening match day on 8 October and LADI6 on 9 October. Still to come are Shapeshifter, who will follow Ruha during the semi-finals on 5 November, and BENEE who will perform at the finals on 12 November.
Ruha was last week awarded the 2022 APRA Silver Scroll Award alongside Te Tairāwhiti choir Ka Hao for the song 35, which has gained huge popularity with more than 12 million views on TikTok since its release during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) in 2021.
Speaking on the announcement, Rob Ruha said: “Rugby World Cup 2021 provides a platform to elevate mana wāhine as it is in Te Ao Māori through our music on the world stage. It is fitting to be joining Shapeshifter as male allies for our wāhine toa, alongside our entire Rugby World Cup whanau (family), for the semi-finals of what has been an historic tournament for Aotearoa and the world.”
In 2011, the same year New Zealand hosted the men’s Rugby World Cup, Ruha’s debut song Hotuhotu instantly became one of the most played songs in Te Reo Māori on New Zealand radios. Ruha has gone on to perform around the world, alongside his role working as musical director on films including the Te Reo Māori reversioning of Walt Disney Pictures’ Moana, The Lion King and Frozen Reo Māori.
Rugby World Cup 2021 Tournament Director, Michelle Hooper said: “We’re delighted to have globally acclaimed artist Rob Ruha join our outstanding line-up of headline artists for the Rugby World Cup 2021, supporting the kaupapa (message) of super-charging the mana wāhine (strong women) of rugby on the world stage. What Rob has done for music and for Te Reo Māori here in Aotearoa has created an incredible legacy for our tamariki (children) and completes our headline entertainment line-up for the tournament. Fans are in store for an unforgettable show, celebrating our wāhine toa (champion women), the people of Aotearoa New Zealand who have joined us on this journey and the global rugby family.”
The semi-finals of Rugby World Cup 2021 will take place at Eden Park on Saturday, 5 November, starting with the first semi-final at 16:30 local time (GMT+13), followed by the second semi-final kicking off at 19:30.
Rugby World Cup 2021 has so far attracted record-breaking and sold-out crowds across the three match venues in Auckland and Whangārei since opening match day at Eden Park which played in front of a full stadium of 34,235 fans. With New Zealand’s world champion Black Ferns still in the running for a sixth women’s Rugby World Cup title, tickets are selling fast to the semi-finals and fans are encouraged to get in quick to avoid disappointment.
For more information and to purchase tickets go to https://tickets2021.rugbyworldcup.com
*Prices applicable to cash purchases made through Ticketek agents or outlets. Online purchases may attract additional payment processing and delivery fees.
