STEP UP: Brendon Ward calls for Rugby World Cup volunteers.

LOWER Hutt’s Andy Smith doesn’t care what he’s asked to do for the Rugby World Cup when it comes to Wellington next year.

The 19-year-old just hopes there’s something he can volunteer to do: “It will be cool to be involved.”

Andy was one of more than 200 people who turned up at the Lower Hutt Town Hall to see the rugby union’s touring Rugby World Cup volunteering road show, which aims to recruit people to help.

The whole spectrum of the community was covered, with kids still in school uniform up to retirees all keen to be a part of the cup.

The show, fronted by former All Black Michael Jones (in video), is being presented at 38 public meetings in 25 places nation-wide within 30 days.

Show host Brendon Ward talked about the rewards people get from being a volunteer, but stressed it is no place for a free lunch.

“Volunteering is not glamorous work,” he said. “Much of it is hard slog. But it is a brilliant way to have direct involvement in New Zealand’s biggest ever event.”

He said they are using the meetings to make initial contact with would-be volunteers and let them know about the task ahead.

“We’ll need a volunteer workforce of at least 5000 to help us deliver this tournament.”

Having to commit to up to eight hours of work for each day for at least seven days could put some people off.

With a large attendance in Lower Hutt and great responses from the road show around the country, Brendon Ward says they hope to find something for everyone who is keen.

Lower Hutt will host the Tongan rugby team for the cup, with the Hutt Recreational grounds being their training base.