Weather cops the blame for slow sales of Bledisloe Cup tickets

Disappointing ticket sales for tonight's Bledisloe Cup rugby test in Christchurch are being blamed on the South Island's bad weather.

At 5pm yesterday, only 32,000 tickets had been sold for the New Zealand-Australia match at Jade Stadium, which holds 35,700. Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup matches usually sell out well in advance.

"I think it is one of those things where there will be a variety of reasons for different people," said Canterbury Rugby Union chief executive Hamish Riach. "Certainly the weather hasn't helped ... I recall reading that June was the coldest winter in Christchurch in 34 years."

People probably had fresh memories of weather-affected matches at Jade, such as the recent fog-shrouded Super 14 final, he said.

"Anecdotally, you also hear that a lot of people think the game will be sold out and don't try to get tickets."

New Zealand Rugby Union marketing manager Fraser Holland said the sales were disappointing but the union was committed to taking the All Blacks around the country, including Christchurch.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who has previously been indifferent to slow ticket sales, was moved to voice his disappointment, saying: "It's the only major test match in the South Island. I expect the South Islanders to come late and fill the park, and I'm sure they will. If it's fine, I think you'll find it will be a sellout."

MetService forecaster Hayward Osborn predicts fine weather with westerly winds and a temperature of about 6C at game time.

- additional reporting NZPA