Let there be light as All Blacks enter twilight zone

Rugby officials are yet to decide when to throw light on the All Blacks' rare sunset test at Eden Park on Saturday.

The Bledisloe Cup match will kick off in fading daylight at 5.30pm - 20 minutes before the MetService says the sun will set.

Eden Park general manager Murray Reade said a decision had yet to be made by match officials as to what time the artificial lights would come on.

"In the past, they have come on around 5pm, but it hasn't been set yet."

Gates will open at 3pm and fans will be jostling with Saturday shoppers on main routes such as Dominion Rd.

The early test follows a dispute between the New Zealand and Australian rugby unions over the start time.

The NZRFU wanted the game played on Friday night to give the All Blacks time to recover before travelling to South Africa on Sunday.

The Australians rejected the Friday night slot and insisted the game be played on the Saturday with a 7.30pm kick-off because of contractual obligations to their broadcasting partners.

An agreement was eventually reached, with both parties accepting the 5.30pm start on Saturday.

Public transport to the game has been improved in a bid to encourage rugby fans to ditch their cars and help traffic congestion.

Bus and train services have been increased to and from Eden Park, Mr Reade said.

About 900 tickets to see the All Blacks take on Australia in their fourth Tri-Nations match are still available.