Historic clash a sell-out

Tonga’s historic clash against the Kangaroos is officially a sellout.

The full house signs went up at Mt Smart Stadium yesterday after the final release of tickets for Saturday’s test flew out the door.

The stadium attendance record for a rugby league match of 30,003 was only set last November in Tonga’s World Cup semifinal against England.

But that could be under threat as the tiny Pacific Island nation take on the world champion Kangaroos for the first time.

‘‘The level of interest in this game has been staggering so it will be great to see the house full sign up outside Mt Smart Stadium this Saturday,’’ NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

‘‘Many people worked very hard to make this game a reality and the result will be no doubt a real highlight for the international game and for the game overall.’’

It confirms New Zealand Rugby League’s fears that the match would prove more popular than last week’s test between the Kiwis and Kangaroos.

Only 12,763 watched the Kiwis stun their trans-tasman rivals 26-24, although the result would have went a long way towards winning back their supporters

However, yesterday’s announcement is testament to Tonga’s passionate fan base who have continued their phenomenal support from last year’s World Cup.