Last push for sellout
‘‘The sooner you’re in and seated, the better you’ll be.’’
Les Edwards, Tasman Rugby Union
Eight days out from the biggest rugby show to come to the city, Nelsonians have been warned not to leave their enthusiasm until the last minute.
Tasman Rugby Union commercial and marketing manager Les Edwards said that as of yesterday afternoon, there were around 1200 tickets still available for the September 8 All BlacksArgentina test match at Trafalgar Park.
However, with the potential for 7000 rugby fans passing through the ticket scanners and security checks at each of the venue’s three entrance gates, logistics was now the main focus for the union, he said.
‘‘What we have here is a popup test venue, which doesn’t have some of the mod cons of the Cake Tin or Eden Park – so we’ve got to appreciate that, be patient and get in early.’’
Edwards said timing was of the essence to ensure fans were inside and seated prior to the 7.35pm kickoff.
He also urged fans to enter the gate corresponding with their ticket to ensure easier entry.
‘‘It’s not going to be a Mako game – what happens typically is people will rock up at the last minute, and if you look at it on TV, the stands are half-full when compared to what they are 20 minutes later.
‘‘People need to get here and be ready from 5.30pm. The sooner you’re in and seated, the better you’ll be placed to see everything.’’
Gates will open at 5.30pm, with both teams arriving at 6.15pm and warmups scheduled for 6.45pm. An NZDF helicopter will deliver the match ball at 7.20pm, before the anthems at 7.30pm.
Single tickets are still available in the uncovered west stand seats, while limited numbers of tickets are available for the east and north stands.
In recent weeks, a number of tickets initially set aside – mostly in the east stand – were returned to the general pool for public purchase. ‘‘NZ Rugby holds a lot of tickets for their stakeholders, and some of those got returned,’’ Edwards said.
The original ‘‘take a kid to footy’’ offer was fully subscribed. However, in a push to ensure a sellout, the Tasman union has announced that a revised package will go on sale from today, allowing one $120 adult ticket in the north stand to accompany up to nine kids for $60 each.
A week on from securing the Bledisloe Cup for another year, the All Blacks are scheduled to arrive in Nelson on Sunday. Players will be hosted by the Stoke, Waimea Old Boys, Wanderers and Riwaka rugby clubs, while another group will fly to Blenheim for sessions at Renwick and Rai Valley Area School en route to Nelson. A powhiri at Whakatu Marae will officially welcome the team at 3pm.
The Argentinian squad has already arrived in Auckland, where it will be based until next Thursday.
The All Blacks will train at Saxton Field throughout next week, with both teams having a captain’s run on Trafalgar Park next Friday.