Rugby League: When two's a crowd

By CHRIS BARCLAY

The spectators won't have as much room to stretch out as those at the Millennium Stadium, but there are still plenty of seats available for the opening international between the Kiwis and Great Britain at Blackburn's Ewood Park on Sunday morning.

While the All Blacks will play England before a capacity crowd of 80,000 at Twickenham, the first of three league tests may be held before a half-filled stadium which seats 30,000.

A Rugby Football League spokesman was reluctant to reveal demand for tickets but said around 10,000 had been pre-sold for the opening clash between the second- and third-ranked league nations.

Blackburn, while neighbouring league strongholds, is a soccer-mad city with Ewood Park serving as the headquarters of the Blackburn Rovers premier league soccer club.

The second and third tests will be held at McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield - newly promoted to the Super League - and the JJB Stadium in the league heartland of Wigan.

Tickets range from £8 ($25) for children and pensioners to £35 ($110) for adults.

Sales are thought to have been affected by a range of factors, including the performance of Great Britain in their last outing - a record 64-10 thrashing by Australia in July - and low-key coverage by broadcasters Sky.

The RFL claims Blackburn is within an 80-minute drive of most Super League clubs, estimating 50,000 fans could make the trip in less than 40 minutes.

However, the 6.15pm (7.15am NZT) kick-off times have turned off many who rely on public transport.

Respected league commentator Ray French said he had been reminded by Hull supporters that they would have to leave before the end of the match in order to make it home at "a reasonable time".

"If they watched all the game they would probably only be able to get home on Sunday," French said.

Hull are not running supporters coaches to the match, prompting one fan to ask "why should I support the tour when clubs show nothing but apathy towards it?"

Great Britain coach David Waite has pleaded for the rugby league public to support the home side, noting with envy the October 19 grand final between St Helens and Bradford, which attracted more than 60,000 to Manchester's Old Trafford.

"It's sad we cannot put on a ground or crowd like that for an international. Win, lose or draw, we need the support of every league supporter."

The Kiwis tour opened with a capacity crowd of 12,000 at Hull, although the match was destined for a sellout as it was the last game played at The Boulevard.

A depleted St Helens lineup attracted just 5612 to Knowsley Rd - the lowest gate of the season - for the Kiwis' second match, while a stand along a touchline at Griffin Park was empty for the third match against England A. Expatriate New Zealanders made up a large proportion of the 6124 crowd.

The test against Wales in Cardiff last Sunday drew 8746, which may have appeared a respectable total had the game not been held in the 74,000 seat Millennium Stadium.

The Kiwis cannot be accused of switching off fans by playing dour league.

Despite encountering wet conditions for the majority of their trip, they have scored 27 tries and average 37.5 points a game from four successive victories - the best start to a Kiwis tour since the inaugural visit in 1907-08.

As for the British team, five days in a Spanish seaside resort and cosseted away in a five-star country retreat does not sound like paying the ultimate price for their flogging by Australia in July.

No expense has been spared to ensure they are in the right frame of mind for Sunday morning.

The team soaked up the rays in Marbella before heading to the Marriott Hotel and Country Club at Worsley, on the outskirts of Manchester.

Home to a championship golf course, the team need not worry about any outside distractions other than rubbing shoulders with other top sportsmen.

England and Manchester United soccer captain David Beckham is a regular on the course and top European soccer sides also stay at the hotel before heading to play United at Old Trafford, about 20 minutes away.

- NZPA