Tickets for Wales’ first international matches of the season go on sale to the general public today (Monday, 12.00 noon). Wales take on the three southern hemisphere powers Australia, New Zealand and South Africa along with World Cup opponents Fiji in November as Warren Gatland’s side steps up preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Over 115,000 tickets have been sold already, to member clubs, debenture holders, and to supporters who had pre-registered their interest for the four-Test series via wru.co.uk/tickets
Tickets are currently available for all four matches, starting with Wales v Australia on Saturday, 6 November (2.30pm), followed by world champions South Africa a week later on Saturday, 13 November, also at 2.30pm. Wales take on Fiji, the side who sent Wales home from the 2007 Rugby World Cup, on Friday, 19 November (7.30pm) and end the series against world cup hosts New Zealand on Saturday, 27 November (5.15pm).
Wales head coach Warren Gatland said: “The three Tri-nations sides will arrive in confident mood, they will have had tremendous preparation and come to Wales on the back of six Tests each, having played each other three times. Australia will also face New Zealand in Hong Kong on the way over so you can’t get much better preparation than that. Their intensity levels will be right up there and we will need to get ourselves up to speed very quickly when we meet up at the end of October.
“We have seen the game change since 12 months ago and the kicking battle has reduced,allowing teams to offer a greater threat in attack. There is an opportunity to play a more expansive way and play some rugby and we have the players who can thrive on that, so we are looking forward to a tough campaign.
“The Australia game will be ‘week zero’ for us as we start our build up to the world cup, we need to get everything in place throughout this year and ensure we arrive in New Zealand in 12 months in top shape and it all starts this November.
“This is a vital series of games for us. We have asked for Tests against the best teams in the world on a regular basis and that’s exactly what this series of matches provides. Playing these four Tests against these four teams in particular during the course of a month will replicate a world cup environment and that is exactly what we need.
“We play South Africa and Fiji in pool D of the Rugby World Cup in just a year’s time, good performances and results now will give us great confidence as we move onto the Six Nations. Add to that world no 3 Australia, who are always strong, and Tri-Nations champions New Zealand and we have an almighty challenge ahead, but one which we will relish.”
WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis said, “We are looking forward to a thrilling season of Welsh rugby. We have planned the biggest and best calendar of international fixtures over the next twelve months in the entire history of Welsh rugby. We will play a minimum of 17 test matches in one year against the very finest teams in the world.
“Moreover you can watch Wales for as little as £10 – that’s one of the cheapest international ticket prices in world rugby. We have added the Australia match at the start of an already exciting fixture list to ensure that Warren Gatland and his coaches and players are fully prepared for what lies ahead.
“It is also a mouth-watering prospect for all fans of Welsh rugby and our clubs, debenture holders and supporters who bought their tickets early after pre-registering their interest have already shown their approval by snapping up tickets before the public on-sale date.
“We are pleased to have two Saturday afternoon kick-offs, one late afternoon kick-off and a Friday night, family-friendly fixture against Fiji where prices start at £10 for Under 16s.”
WRU ticket info:
Tickets go on public sale at 12.00 noon on Monday, 6 September from the following outlets:
Tel: 08442 777888
Personal callers: Cardiff Arms Store, 8 Westgate Street, Cardiff
Official hospitality packages can be purchased from just £99 per person for Wales v Fiji at the official Millennium Stadium website: www.millenniumstadium.com
Prices start at £169 for games against Australia and South Africa and from £179 for New Zealand – packages include a ticket located in the best seats of the house, a complimentary match programme and a guest speaker from the world of rugby.
