ABs fans snap up best seats

All Blacks fans hoping to snare a covered seat for the first test of the season against Ireland in New Plymouth will need to be quick – only a few hundred are left.

Taranaki Rugby Football Union commercial manager Geoff Hitchcock confirmed yesterday that less than 500 covered seats would be available for the June 12 test when tickets went on sale to the public tomorrow.

That number only became available after the New Zealand Rugby Union released the covered stand tickets it no longer required. The rest of the covered seating had been taken by those sponsors, referees, volunteers, coaches and players who were given preferential ticket buying opportunities last week through the NZRU database.

Hitchcock said there was still a large number of uncovered seats in the TSB and Yarrow Stand, while more than 5000 general admission tickets would be up for sale.

"Things went pretty quickly with the pre-sales, which shows the level of interest in the game."

Tickets will go on sale to the public at 9am tomorrow, with prices ranging from $40 for general admission through to $125 for the limited covered gold seats.

General admission tickets for children have been set at $15.

Pricing for the new seats that have been installed in the southern terrace have been set at $50.

Fans can buy their tickets at New Plymouth's TSB Showplace and I-Site offices in Stratford and Hawera.

Tickets are also available on ticketdirect.co.nz or by calling 0800 4 TICKET (0800 4 842 538).

- © Fairfax NZ News