Ticket sales on up
TICKET sales for the Gold Coast’ s first rugby international in five years are building at 500 a day as players hope for strong home-crowd backing.
City leaders last month expressed fears at scant promotion for the Wallabies versus Argentina Test this Saturday night at Robina.
A Rugby Australia spokesman yesterday revealed ticket sales were now tracking at a rate of about 500 sold per day and it was expected that would climb.
The pick-up in sales comes off the back of the Wallabies’ last-gasp win over the Springboks last weekend and hype building in the city with the team based at Sanctuary Cove and Surfers Paradise.
“There has been a really positive response to the promotional activity and to the weekend win,” the spokesman said.
“Since the weekend we have seen 500 a day. We don’t know where that will put us but it’s looking a lot better.”
The last time the Wallabies played at 27,000-capacity Cbus Stadium was in 2014 – also against Argentina – drawing a paltry crowd of 14,000.
City rugby stalwarts are concerned another poor turnout will impact the Gold Coast’s ability to attract another Test any time soon.
Wallaby players yesterday told the Bulletin a loud, passionate crowd would give the team a big lift particularly near the end of tight matches.
Wallaby winger and fullback Dane Haylett-Perry said: “It’s amazing when the fans get behind you. And we know there are so many rugby fans and supporters here on the Gold Coast.
“For us it’s going to be a great Test against a really good Argentina team.”
Argentina have also beaten the Springboks in the Rugby Championship and gave the All Blacks a scare last weekend before eventually succumbing.
Among Test lead-in events is a lunch on Friday at RACV Royal Pines Resort to fundraise for Gold Coast age group player development.
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika and ex-Rugby Australia CEO John O’Neill are among the speakers.
Gold Coast District Rugby Union chairman Kim Bending encouraged the region’s rugby supporters to get behind the fundraiser to “support rugby player development” in the city.
Tickets are $160 per person with a 12.30pm start.