Tickets for the Crusaders’ playoff against the Blues in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon have sold out within 20 minutes of going on sale this morning.
There may be more tickets available at 5pm today once unredeemed members’ and sponsors’ tickets are released.
General public tickets went on sale this morning for the clash which will decide which team makes the final four. A Crusaders announcement soon afterwards said “Well, that was quick…”.
The Crusaders qualified for a playoff at their new Te Kaha home after they thrashed the Hurricanes 47-14 at the weekend and the Blues were hammered 59-34 by the Chiefs in Hamilton.
In the other playoff matches this weekend, the table-topping Hurricanes host the Brumbies in Wellington, with the Chiefs, who finished second on the table, hosting the Reds in Hamilton.
The Hurricanes and Chiefs will be hot favourites to confirm home semifinal matches as no Australian team has won a Super Rugby playoff match in New Zealand.
If the Hurricanes and Chiefs are successful, the Crusaders and Blues are guaranteed a semifinal spot regardless as the highest ranked “lucky losers”.
In that case, if the Crusaders lose, and they have never lost a home playoff match, they will become the fourth seeds and face the Hurricanes in a semifinal, with the Blues playing the Chiefs.
If the Blues lose they will play the Hurricanes and the Crusaders will play the Chiefs.
The Crusaders have sold out every match they have hosted at their new central-city stadium – against the Waratahs, Blues, Chiefs and Hurricanes.
It will likely be their final home match of the season.
Super Rugby Pacific playoffs
Friday, 7.05pm: Hurricanes (1) v Brumbies (6) in Wellington
Saturday, 4.35pm: Crusaders (3) v Blues (4) in Christchurch
Saturday, 7.05pm: Chiefs (2) v Reds (5) in Hamilton
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including weather watches in force, and the GOAT makes a comeback. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME