Mako fans get AB tickets

Being a Tasman Mako fan holds special privileges for those looking to secure an earlybird ticket to Nelson’s first All Black test on September 8.

Less than six months out from the 2018 Investec Rugby Championship clash against Argentina, demand for tickets is already high from the region’s rugby fans who have taken advantage of a preorder window.

Tickets from New Zealand Rugby will go on public sale in June. Until public sales go live, the Tasman Rugby Union is taking prior bookings for a bundled Mako season ticket plus All Blacks test ticket.

Since the package became available in September the permanent West Stand seats and all East Stand seats have been sold.

TRU chief executive Tony Lewis said the early demand had shown the decision to award Nelson the test match had been a correct one.

A crowd of 21,000 is expected to attend the match, with an estimated 40 per cent expected from outside the region.

Lewis said the TRU had no jurisdiction on the overall distribution of tickets or All Black hospitality packages, which were being run by the NZ Rugby.

’’The only window of opportunity we have is to sell to season ticket holders, of which about 1000 have been sold already.’’

He encouraged anyone wanting to get along to Trafalgar Park for the game to take advantage of the early opportunity to avoid missing out.

‘‘The key thing is that no tickets are on sale to the public yet - after then you take the pot luck chance with every one else in the country trying to get tickets.

To secure the Mako plus All Blacks option, email your preferred options to Martin Vercoe at martyn@tasmanrugby.co.nz.

ROSS SETFORD Nelson’s Trafalgar Park will become the All Blacks newest battleground when Argentina comes to play on September 8.