Big crowd expected at Eden Park

MORE THAN 50,000 tickets have been sold for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rugby test at Eden Park, making it the biggest crowd for the modern game in New Zealand.

The gate for the biggest test ahead of the Rugby World Cup has already surpassed the 47,000 figure for the All Blacks v British Lions test at the same ground in 2005.

New Zealand Rugby Union chief executive Steve Tew says the increased seating for the RWC has given fans an opportunity to be the first to soak up the atmosphere of a record-breaking experience.

“We will see Eden Park in full swing for this test match and it is great that so many fans will be part of this historic occasion.”

Eden Park’s additional RWC seating will take capacity from 50,000 to 61,000, with both the upper east and west stand seats already sold out.

The biggest crowd at Eden Park was recorded in 1956, when 61,240 people crammed in to watch the All Blacks play South Africa.

It should be noted, however, that there was standing room back then.