An extra 4000 seats will be installed for next month's test between the All Blacks and Ireland in Christchurch.
Demand for the June 16 match meant all 17,500 tickets sold out within hours of going on sale a fortnight ago and the NZRU, Canterbury union and Christchurch Stadium Trust worked to find a way to build a stand larger than the existing 700-seat stand at the west end of the ground. A new 4000-seat temporary west stand will be constructed at the new AMI Stadium in Addington, with work beginning this week.
"This is a big deal for Christchurch,'' Canterbury Rugby Football Union and Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said. "We missed out on being able to host Rugby World Cup matches last year because of the earthquakes but, thanks to the drive and commitment of the NZRU, as well as support from the Government, we now have a superb new stadium and an All Blacks v Ireland test to get behind.
"With construction of the new stand about to get under way, the new stand is scheduled to be in place for the Crusaders v Highlanders round 15 match on June 1, so even more fans will be able to come and see what promises to be an exciting Super Rugby southern derby.''
Chrictchurch last hosted the All Blacks in August, 2010.
