Hamilton braces as fans fly in
THE second Test between the Flying Fijians and the All Blacks at the FMG Waikato Stadium in Hamilton could be heading for a sellout.
Accommodation outlets in hotels, apartments and motels at Hamilton City and close to the stadium had recorded 82 per cent occupancy four days away from the much anticipated Test.
Fiji Hamilton Society executive Ilaitia Tuwere said the demands for tickets had skyrocketed indicating that the match could head for a sellout.
“The discussions surrounding the Flying Fijians continue here in Hamilton,” Tuwere said.
“People here still could not believe what the Fiji team did last Saturday. We have been enquiring online for tickets and they are selling fast. Accomodation outlets are filling up fast, not only from us Fijians but across the border. Last week’s physical challenge of the Flying Fijians had generated a lot of interest.
“We expect a lot of Fijians both iTaukei and Fijians of Indian descents and islanders. We, the members of the Fiji Hamilton Society will host the team after the Test and Naitasiri people in New Zealand will also accord Levani botia a traditional ceremony for becoming our national captain.”
Meanwhile coach Vern Cotter has braced himself for a clinical ABs team which will be out to patch the chinks in its armour that were exposed by the rampant Fijians last week.
“The team is in good spirit,” Cotter said. “We need to show some strong signs of strength and unity. We want to improve strategically because the game will be slightly different in Hamilton. We will become more strategic in how we counter-attack and use the ball.”
The Test starts at 7.05pm on Saturday.