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Bitter cold may have driven 500 punters from the All Blacks-Ireland test in the first 20 minutes on Saturday night but the Wellington game attracted a loyal television following.
TV footage showing empty seats at Westpac Stadium had people asking if the All Blacks' ability to attract a crowd was waning. Figures show more than 32,000 tickets were sold - out of a total of 34,500. But hundreds who turned up left again as an icy southerly wind plunged temperatures.
"It was the coldest conditions anyone can ever remember at Westpac Stadium," said a spokesman.
Auckland Rugby Union spokesman Grant McKenzie said the match against England at Eden Park this weekend looked set to be a sellout.
He said 37,000 tickets were sold, with 7500 to go. "We are very happy with the way tickets are tracking," said Mr McKenzie. "Fingers crossed we sell it out." All Black fans had snapped up tickets, as had England's local following.
Media analyst Martin Gillman said ratings for the first All Blacks match of the year showed the men in black could still pull a crowd. AGB Nielsen data showed live coverage on Sky Sport was watched by 500,200 people aged 5+ nationally, and delayed footage on Prime was watched by 186,900 people in the age group.
* TUNING IN
NZ v Ireland match
500,200 people aged 5-plus watched on Sky Sport 1.
186,900 people aged 5-plus watched delayed coverage on Prime.
NZ v South Africa, 2.30amJune 24, 2007
218,600 people aged 5-plus on average.
Dancing With the Stars 2008, week five
804,700 people aged 5+ in total.
Source: AGB Nielsen Media Research
