Ticket sales for the All Blacks v Italy Iveco Series Test match at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday night have picked up this week but there are still many good seats available.
An average of 650 tickets per day have been sold this week which is a big increase on sales over the previous two weeks. The sales figure as at midday today stood at 15,200.
Canterbury Rugby Football Union chief executive Hamish Riach said: “There are still some good seats available in the Paul Kelly Stand and I would urge fans of All Blacks rugby to get in quickly and support their team.
“The interest around this match has certainly built this week with both teams in Christchurch and it really is an historic occasion, as Italy haven’t played here before.
“We know the Canterbury public like to get behind their sportspeople and they have a great chance on Saturday, with Canterbury and Crusaders players Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Isaac Ross, Wyatt Crockett, George Whitelock and Owen Franks involved. It will of course be Wyatt’s first Test cap and George and Owen will be hoping to come off the bench and earn their first caps too.”
There are many things planned around the Test, including a street party next to AMI Stadium which kicks off at 4.30pm on Saturday.
There will also be a capping ceremony for former All Blacks tomorrow night which coincides with a 50th anniversary gathering of those All Blacks and Canterbury representatives who took on the British and Irish Lions in 1959.
Thirty-two former All Blacks or their families will receive the caps they earned for their first All Blacks Test appearance at the main capping ceremony which will be held at the Christchurch Convention Centre tomorrow night.
A number of those players will be acknowledged again at Saturday’s Iveco Series Test match at AMI Stadium, forming a guard of honour to welcome the two teams to the field.
Tickets for the Iveco Series Test match between the All Blacks and Italy start from as little as $40 each.