All Blacks Test in Wellington sold out

Sep 9 • General News, International, Rugby Championship News, The Rugby Championship • 2589 Views • Comments Off on All Blacks Test in Wellington sold out

City fanzone to be opened

The All Blacks and South African Springboks are set to run out in front of a capacity crowd at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Saturday as the last of 36,031 tickets were snapped up overnight.

The sell-out fixture completes a fantastic domestic season of All Blacks Test rugby with all six Test matches – the Steinlager Series against England, and the Investec Rugby Championship Tests against Australia, Argentina and South Africa.

Extra temporary seating has been installed for this Saturday’s Test and all seats are now earmarked for lucky ticket holders who will get to see the teams compete for the Freedom Cup.

The capacity crowd follows last year’s Bledisloe Cup sell-out match in the capital city, and without a Test match next year, this is Wellington’s last chance to back the men in black ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Relationships, Planning and Operations Nigel Cass welcomed the news as a great way to complete the domestic season, ahead of the end of year tour duty in November.

“From the Steinlager Series in June to this competition – the action has been spectacular and the fact that thousands of people have got behind their team by purchasing a ticket is proof that the All Blacks continue to thrill and inspire.

Wellington Rugby chief executive James Te Puni said a Test match in Wellington was always a special occasion, and one against the Springboks had an extra buzz about it.

“Wellingtonians always get fired up about their rugby and backing the All Blacks, and I’m sure this week’s Test will be another fantastic Wellington occasion.

“We’re proud to be hosting both the All Blacks and South Africa, along with the supporters who come to cheer on their respective teams.”

Wellington city is opening a Fanzone at Civic Square from 12:00pm to 5.30pm on Saturday, where kids can get stuck into rippa rugby and be entertained by Nua Finau from Small Blacks TV.

Food and entertainment will also be non-stop, before a parade led by African drummers leaves for the stadium along Wellington’s waterfront.

Gates to Westpac Stadium open at 5.30pm.

Ticket holders are in for a bonus night of entertainment with percussion group Strike set to perform, and anthem singers Nick Afoa, fresh from his starring role in the stage musical Lion King, and Ainslie Allen hot on the heels of the release of her new EP, will also perform at half time.