Rising tide of Mako mania as game nears

‘‘Wear red and be loud’’ is the message for Tasman Mako fans as tickets are snapped up for the team’s shot at provincial rugby glory.

‘‘The excitement is still burning – there’s a long way to go in the week, from our perspective – we just want Nelsonians and people from Blenheim and around the region to fill the park up,’’ Tasman Rugby Union chief executive Tony Lewis said on Tuesday.

‘‘This is the country’s number one sport, its number one national trophy and probably the best provincial competition in the world – and it’s being held in Nelson.’’

After scraping home 18-9 against Auckland at Lansdowne Park over the weekend, the Tasman Mako now have the chance to complete a 12-match unbeaten season and a maiden Mitre 10 Cup premiership when they meet Wellington at Trafalgar Park this Saturday.

TRU commercial and marketing manager Les Edwards said ticket sales had ‘‘gone gangbusters’’ since they went on sale yesterday.

While thousands of home fans were expected to descend on Trafalgar Park, Edwards said he had been made aware of a small contingent of Wellington Lions fans making the trip across the Strait, but nothing close to outnumbering the Mako faithful.

‘‘The message to fans is simply wear red and be loud.’’

Lewis said the Union was working with Nelson City Council to create a festival atmosphere in the city prior to the match.

Today, Mako players are scheduled to visit around 10 schools to promote the match.

The union had looked into a bus to bring supporters from the other side of the Whangamoas to Nelson, however it was decided not to go ahead with the idea, due to health and safety risks.

Nonetheless, Blenheim-based TRU chairman Wayne Young was adamant there would be a sizeable crowd of Marlburians making the trip over for the fixture.

‘‘If you take your Marlborough and Nelson Bays hats off and put your Tasman one on, it is absolutely perfect to have a semi and a final at home in this way – we’ve filled the place up [in Blenheim] and now we’ve got the chance to cram 12,000 in at Nelson.’’

Tickets are available at http:/ /tickets.makos.co.nz/, isite Nelson, Blenheim, Picton, Richmond Mall and NBS branches in Richmond, Nelson, Motueka and Takaka.