Leo the Lion has been the Wellington rugby team's mascot since the mid-1960s.

His origins have been traced back to the founding of the Wellington Supporters Club in 1965 in the lead-up to the Wellington vs Springbok match. In the space of a month, 1500 members had joined the club and it was decided that a mascot was needed.

After much deliberation it was decided that a lion was the answer - there was a lion in residence at the Wellington Zoo named Leo and a lion was also a central feature of the Wellington City Council coat of arms.

Leo has achieved national fame in recent years following Auckland's attempts to bar him from prowling the sidelines in support of Wellington when they play at Eden Park.

In 1999 a "Save Leo" campaign was hastily organised for the Wellington v Auckland NPC final when Auckland barred Leo from the ground for "health and safety" reasons. Talkback lines ran hot with calls for Leo to be able to roam free and Auckland eventually relented.

Leo was again barred from Eden Park for the NPC semi-final in 2000. Despite another intensive media campaign, Auckland refused to back down and labelled Leo a "mangy and flea-ridden mascot".

Leo, though, had the last laugh. After sneaking onto the terraces, he seized an opportunity during the second half to make a break for the sidelines – to the delight of the crowd – and lend his support to the Wellington Lions as they defeated Auckland for the first time since 1992.

Leo is a prime example of the important part that mascots play in enhancing the colour and entertainment of a rugby match.