Tickets on sale for All Blacks v Tonga at FMG Stadium Waikato
Tickets to three home Tests are on sale now with FMG Stadium Waikato hosting the All Blacks final test on home soil before their Rugby World Cup campaign in Japan.
Pre-sale numbers have indicated strong support in Rugby World Cup year.
The trio of matches at Westpac Stadium, Eden Park and FMG Stadium Waikato represent the All Blacks only home Tests ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
New Zealand Rugby Chief Rugby Officer Nigel Cass said there were early signs that fans were rallying behind the team as they prepared for 2019.
“The support of New Zealanders is hugely important to the All Blacks and we are already seeing the extra passion and excitement that a Rugby World Cup year brings.
“Pre-sales have been ahead of what we would normally experience at this time of the year which reflects the fact there are only three chances to watch the All Blacks live on home soil in 2019 before the team heads off to Japan in September.
“New Zealanders played a huge role in the All Blacks World Cup success in 2011 when more than 50,000 people spurred the team to victory at Eden Park. That home support will undoubtedly spur the team on as they prepare for their 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign.”
The All Blacks play South Africa at Westpac Stadium on 27 July and Australia at Eden Park on 17 August during this year’s abbreviated Investec Rugby Championship before rounding out their Rugby World Cup build up with a Test against Tonga at FMG Stadium Waikato on 7 September.
The All Blacks final match before heading to Japan sees them play Tonga for just the sixth time, and first since they met in Newcastle during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
“It’s a shortened Test schedule, but also an exciting one,” Cass said. “Each of these home Tests are important in their own right and will play a role in the All Blacks Rugby World Cup preparation. I’m sure a lot of New Zealanders will want to play their part and show their support.”
All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen and his fellow selectors will name their 31-man squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in early September.
The All Blacks 2019 home schedule is:
27 July v South Africa, Westpac Stadium, Wellington
17 August v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland
07 September v Tonga, FMG Waikato Stadium, Hamilton
Content sourced from New Zealand Rugby Media release
