NZRU defends balloting for Lions tickets

The Rugby Union has defended its use of a ballot system to sell tickets for the Lions tour, despite there being 39,000 tickets still to be sold.

The NZRU released the tickets for general sale yesterday after the close of its ballot process. For the balloting, fans had to submit an advance request for tickets and passes were limited to four.

Only 7000 tickets were sold yesterday, leaving 39,000 still available for Lions matches against Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, NZ Maori, Wellington, Otago, Southland, Manawatu and Auckland.

NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said balloting delivered tickets fairly throughout the country. "In the old days, tickets would go to the first person on the net, or the first to those waiting in line at major outlets. The system has been successful in giving fans across New Zealand access.

"Has it been a success in moving tickets to other games? We'll have to talk about it after the series."

About 40 people queued for tickets outside Waikato Stadium yesterday morning, but in New Plymouth only 12 people made the effort.

In Otago, only six were waiting when the gates opened, and promoters fear the embarrassment of a crowd of empty seats. About 12,000 seats are still available for the Otago game.

Mr Tew said it was too early to say whether all the tickets would eventually be sold. "There are still three weeks until the Lions arrive, and another four to five weeks still to sell tickets."

He said yesterday's sales indicated that major games against Wellington, Auckland and NZ Maori would sell out.

Tickets were not overpriced, he said. "The most expensive tickets were to the test matches, and they all sold out."