Rugby: Albany hosts Blues opener

The Blues will start their Super 14 campaign at North Harbour Stadium next year.

Chief executive Andy Dalton last night confirmed the Blues opening-round match against the Hurricanes will be at Albany on February 12. And he's hoping North Harbour fans grab the opportunity for what should be one of the most appealing of the Blues' six home games.

"From where we sit it's certainly a big ticket fixture," Dalton said. "The last time the Hurricanes played at Eden Park we had 37,000."

The decision makes sense in terms of the capacities of Albany and Eden Park. With the World Cup development in full swing at Eden Park, capacity at the Blues second home game, against the Brumbies on March 19, will be a minimum of 17,000. North Harbour can take up to about 30,000.

North Harbour were unhappy initially at being asked to pay a fee to the Blues, of whom the union is a stakeholder, to get hosting rights to a game. Dalton said there was a hiring agreement in place for the Hurricanes match. "It's standard commercial practice and what we've done previously."

For the South African test at Eden Park on July 10, capacity is expected to be up to 25,000, Dalton added.