Test ticket furore

Press, 16 July 1983, Page 64

Test ticket furore

PA Auckland Members of the All Black team were furious yesterday that they could not obtain more tickets for the fourth test against the British Lions at Eden Park today. “The players are really hot about this,” said Stuart Wilson, the All Black wing. “I certainly intend to bring up this matter at the next meeting of the sub-commit-tee which is looking at players’ expenses.” Wilson said that the All Blacks had received their normal allocation of two complimentary tickets, anti

the right to buy four more. “In the other three test centres, where the pressure on tickets may not be as heavy as it is in Auckland it was possible to buy an extra half-a-dozen seats, but when we asked for more from the Auckland Rugby Union we could not get them. “The New Zealand Rugby Union has been most considerate. Our wives have been flown up for the test, and everything like that is tick-ety-boo. “But surely the players could be looked after better. Some of the players are furious about this, and after

all without us the game doesn’t go ahead,” said Wilson. “The Auckland test is the big event, and we have friends and relations coming from all over New Zealand. Now we have to ring them up and say: ‘Do not come, there are no tickets.’ “I am not sure how many the Lions get,” said Wilson, “but I hope they have a good allocation, for they are our guests.” The Lions players receive two complimentary tickets each, the managers receive a small allocation, and the Lions party has the right to buy 60 more tickets.