KEY POINTS:
It's a big test tonight at Eden Park. Well, biggish.
The All Blacks take on France in the first of a two-match series, with the second to be played in Wellington next weekend. Kickoff is at 7.35pm.
The pre-match entertainment starts at 6.30pm and the weather is set to be fair - but it's likely to be cold. Yesterday afternoon there were still 7000 tickets left.
This is the first test match of the year, so we really should get along and support the boys.
And here's how to do it. Allons, enfants ...
BY BUS
Shuttles will be operating from Albany, Constellation, Takapuna and the CBD (Victoria St) to Eden Park.
Buses leave Albany at 5.00, 5.30 and 6pm, Constellation at 5.05, 5.35 and 6.05pm, and Takapuna (Lake Rd) at 5.00 and 5.45pm. Buses from Takapuna leave from Stop 1 at Takapuna Transport Centre. Cash fare is $5 one-way per passenger.
Buses leave Victoria St West (outside the National Bank) every five minutes from 5pm. Adult tickets cost $2 one-way; child/senior tickets $1 one-way.
After the game, buses to Albany, Constellation, Takapuna and the CBD leave Eden Park from 9.15pm. There will be signs to help you find the buses to your destination.
The regular scheduled Sandringham Rd services (routes 23 and 24) run about every 15 minutes from outside Whitcoulls in Victoria St East. Dominion Rd services (25 and 26) leave from outside the St James in Queen St about every 10 minutes.
Free Eden Park shuttle buses are specially marked Stagecoach vehicles that run at 20-minute intervals from existing bus stops. The route follows a loop from Eden Park buspark via Reimers Ave to Sandringham, Balmoral, Mt Eden and New North Rds. The buses also run after the match.
BY TRAIN
Special train services will be operating to and from Kingsland Station on the western and southern lines. Normal fares from all stations apply.
Be aware that bus replacement services are in place for some Western Line train services this weekend to allow for double tracking works.
TAXI
There are taxi ranks on:
Sandringham Rd west, outside Kingsland railway station.
Onslow Rd.
PARKING
No parking is possible near the ground.
Residents-only parking applies to streets bounded by New North Rd, Morningside Drive, Paice Ave and Dominion Rd.
People who drive are urged to park well away from the ground and walk, or catch the free shuttles.
Major carparks can be found throughout the central city. From there, trains and buses are the easiest way to get to the park.
