Queuing in the wet after British and Irish Lions rugby match

It was expected to take around 45 minutes for the crowds to all board public transport after the match, he said. Photo / Ben Hill

Auckland's trains are packed full as sodden Lions and Blues supporters head home from Eden Park after the Auckland side's nail-biting win.

Auckland Transport is expecting post-match public transport to run smoothly but has asked punters to be patient as they wait for trains and buses.

Trains were stacked up at the station to whisk the crowds away from the venue quickly, AT spokesman Mark Hannan said.

It was expected to take around 45 minutes for the crowds to all board public transport after the match, he said.

Holding a rugby game in the middle of the working week posed a significant challenge to Auckland's transport network, and commuters were warned to expect delays ahead of tonight's game between the Blues and the British and Irish Lions.

The game was the first of three matches at Eden Park, with two test matches scheduled for later in the tour.

Traffic was slow near Eden Park earlier tonight as heavy rain and car crashes hampered efforts to reach the stadium.

Hannan said pre-match buses were slowed by two nose-to-tail accidents close to Eden Park.

"It is a little bit of a problem with the heavy rain getting the buses there. A couple of nose-to-tail crashes have happened around the venue which is slowing some of the buses."

Trains were full from about 5pm, Hannan said.

NZTA said motorway traffic peaked earlier than usual ahead of tonight's game.

A crash around 7pm on the Southwestern Motorway, just after Massey Rd, also caused issues for northbound traffic.

In a Facebook post NZTA said most routes were "heavy" but moving at 5pm this evening.

EarlyPeak-BLUvBIL

4:45PM WED 07 JUN - EARLY EVENING PEAK TONIGHT Auckland's motorway traffic appears to be peaking a bit earlier than usual tonight, possibly due to folks getting away from work a little early because of this evenings Blues v Lions match at Eden Park. So far most routes are heavy but moving well so please continue to drive safely & watch your following distance ^TP #LionsNZ2017 #BLUvBIL

Posted by Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency - Auckland on Tuesday, 6 June 2017

An NZTA traffic update said roads near Eden Park, including Sandringham Rd between New North Rd and Paice Ave, would be closed from 5pm due to the rugby.

Western trains were expected to be busier than normal today with people travelling to Eden Park, and people were being asked to travel home during off-peak times if possible.

A crowd of more than 40,000 is expected for tonight's game.

NZ Rugby also advised fans to use public transport and get in early to avoid being held up. Those going to the game are able to use their match ticket for free travel on buses and trains to Eden Park.

NZR Lions series general manager Nigel Cass said about 4000 tickets were still available for purchase.

"Given it's a weeknight in Auckland, it would be great if people left plenty of time to get to the game," he said. "Due to the scale of the series and the number of fans coming through the gates, checks may take longer than for Super Rugby matches."

Ticketmaster is encouraging fans who need to collect tickets to pick them up from agencies or print them at home to avoid queues at the ground.

A minute's silence will be held at the match to remember the victims of the London and Manchester terror attacks.

"We were all shocked by the events in London at the weekend and, together with the British and Irish Lions and the Blues, we agreed it was very important to pay tribute to those affected by the recent events in the UK," Cass said.