A Napier man has been inundated with emails and gifts since giving up his only World Cup ticket to help out a stranded Wales supporter.

With 17 days to go until the start of the World Cup, and 42 days for the tournament to run, ticket sales are still $30.5 million short of the $268m target. NZ will still lose $39m if all the tickets are sold.

Hawke's Bay ended Otago's unbeaten start to the ITM Cup and emerge with a 27-13 victory at McLean Park.