AN embarrassing outcome at the turnstiles looms for New Zealand, prompting coach Michael Maguire to urge Kiwi rugby league fans to support their home team.Two days out from the trans-Tasman Test in Auckland, the New Zealand Rugby League is anticipating a crowd of about 15,000 at Mt Smart Stadium.The hastily arranged Test between the Kangaroos and Tonga a week later is expected to be sold out at the same venue, which can hold just under 26,000 fans.Venue officials haven’t responded to AAP’s request for official sale figures but
NZRL chief executive Greg Peters admitted the Kiwis Test was likely to attract a considerably smaller crowd, despite it being part of a trans-Tasman triple- header involving women’s and junior internationals.“We’re hoping to get a crowd of around 15,000 at the end of the day but if we get three wins on the weekend people will say ‘I wish I was there watching that,” Peters told Radio Sport.“I don’t think it has quite sold out the following week.”Boosted by New Zealand and Australian NRL stars, Mate Ma’a Tonga provided the fairytale story of last year’s World Cup, attracting massive crowds on their way to a semi-final loss to England.
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