Hayley and the Rugby World Cup

On the occasion of the Rugby World Cup, Hayley Westenra recorded a solo version of World in Union, the official song of the sporting event.

It appears on the album's official World Cup which will be released shortly and which other artists such as Bryn Terfel, Russell Watson, Roberto Alagna, Alfie Boe or Katherine Jenkins contributed by recording songs representing the participating nations .

Hayley has recorded versions of World in Union in English, Maori, Italian, Japanese but also in French.

Theme of all the World Cups, World in Union was interpreted by many artists over the competition with a new version for each tournament. Hayley had also participated in the collective version recorded for the 2007 World Cup.

The new version will be Hayley's solo anthem of the 2011 World Cup. It will also be used by the English network ITV as the theme during their broadcast of the tournament.

Big fan of rugby and the All Blacks, Hayley expressed his joy:
"This is not just boys who are excited about the World Cup and I am so happy to put my voice on the theme song. The fact that New Zealand is hosting [competition] this year makes it all even more exciting. "

Hayley has often told how to sing the anthem of his country, God Defend New Zealand, before a rugby match was a unique, special and filled with emotion. Legend has it that the All Blacks have never lost lorsqu'Hayley sang the national anthem at the opening of a match. In fact, it has happened that they then lose qu'Hayley opened for them, but this proved to be as rare as a defeat of the All Blacks. However, the opportunity to Hayley and the All Blacks to establish this legend may well have ...

Indeed, Hayley announced on August 9 on Close Up, a program of New Zealand, his compatriot Will Martin and sing the national anthems of both teams reach the final on October 23 at Eden Park in Auckland .
If New Zealand is a finalist is Hayley who will sing the national anthem, which she obviously wants.

The World in Union album released September 12. In addition to the eponymous song, Hayley also perform his famous Pokarekare Ana and the New Zealand national anthem, God Defend New Zealand.
Roberto Alagna in turn, will represent France in our singing Marseillaise.