Super 14 final fever slow to build

Strolling around central Christchurch on a cold grey day, you would be hard pressed to find evidence of a big rugby final in the city this weekend.

As the Canterbury Crusaders eye up a record sixth Super rugby title, and the first in the expanded 14-team format, the rugby fever generated in years gone by for such an occasion appears noticeably absent.

City council red and black banners hang limply from lamp posts on the main street, but there are very few of the shops decked out in the rugby colours that have been this rugby city's trademark.

It raises the questions: Has the region been overfed with rugby success? Is it all getting a bit too much? Or is the rugby fever still to come?

If you go by ticket sales alone, interest in the final would seem high.

The final at Jade Stadium quickly drew close to a sell-out an hour or so after tickets went on sale yesterday. The remaining few hundred tickets are expected to be snapped up today after preferential seating is sorted out.

But a sell-out was always guaranteed with two New Zealand teams, the Crusaders and Wellington's Hurricanes, on show.

The Crusaders sudden death home semi-final against the Bulls from South Africa last weekend could could only muster a crowd of 26,000 in a stadium that can fit over 35,000.

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach insists the excitement is as big as ever for this weekend's Super 14 final.

"I detect a real buzz around town in relation to this game. We are getting a lot of inquiries and a lot of comment and interest in what is going on," Mr Riach said.

"I think the city council is running a best dressed red and black promotion during the week, so I think by the time you get to the end of the week, you will see retailers and stores starting to deck the city out.

"This is about as big as sport gets in our town, apart from perhaps the Lions test last year, and maybe the other odd occasion."

Canterbury Rugby Supporters Club president Dick Tayler said a lot of rugby was being played and there was a danger of complacency creeping in for Canterbury rugby fans.

"When a province dominates for so long, a lot of people would be pleased if you didn't win the final," Mr Tayler said.

But he added: "I think by Friday, if you arrive in Christchurch, you would know a Super 14 final is on. It's unreal how much it benefits the town."

Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce chief executive Peter Townsend said the community was so supportive of its rugby team "it sometimes can take it for granted".

But he had no doubt there would be huge interest in the weekend's match.

"It's party time in Christchurch. It adds another dynamic with the other team being from Wellington."

Rugby fan Lata Vakata, who got in just in time to get final tickets for himself and his wife yesterday, sees the occasion as big as any he has been to.

"I'm a sports person. I follow every game," Mr Vakata said.