Trophy honours Hillary

Edmund Hillary’s widow today unveiled the trophy, named in her husband’s honour, which will be on the line when England face New Zealand in Saturday’s Investec Challenge.

The Hillary Shield will be contested whenever England and New Zealand meet in an international or Test series outside of the World Cup.

June Hillary will present the trophy to the winning team on Saturday and she was at Twickenham today to meet England captain Steve Borthwick and New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw.

“It was an honour to meet Lady Hillary at Twickenham today. It’s a great trophy befitting a great man who achieved so much in his life and was respected all around the world,” said Borthwick.

“I’m sure it will enhance the rich history of games between England and New Zealand and we’re looking forward to competing for it for the first time on the pitch this weekend.”

The trophy honours Hillary's lifetime of achievements as a mountaineer, adventurer and humanitarian.

A legendary figure in New Zealand, Hillary was also widely respected in the United Kingdom and around the world as the climber who, with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, made the first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 as part of the British Everest Exhibition.

Following his death in Auckland on January 11, 2008, he was honoured with a state funeral in New Zealand and the Queen subsequently hosted a memorial service for him at Windsor Castle.