Rugby clubs set for ticket shock

RUGBY clubs are in for a “nasty shock” if they believe they can hand back tickets to the IRFU for the Argentina test at the end of the month — and not be charged €90 per ticket.

Amid ongoing confusion over the coupling of tickets for the New Zealand and Argentina matches later this month, several senior clubs confirmed yesterday the belief that they won’t be charged €190 for the two-game package if they fail to sell tickets to the Argentina game.

But a senior IRFU source confirmed last night: “The tickets are sold to the clubs as packages and have to be accounted for as packages” — a clear message that clubs cannot expect to sell All Blacks tickets at €100 and hand back the €90 Puma tickets to Lansdowne Road. The confusion appears to surround assurances from the IRFU that they will not deduct the money for unsold tickets by direct debit from clubs the week after the Argentina game. Union sources believe this has been misinterpreted by some clubs to mean they will not be charged at all.

While the Union expects around 25,000 at tomorrow’s test against Samoa, they are deeply concerned about the last of the four Autumn internationals against Argentina at the end of the month. Anecdotal evidence suggests there will be over 45,000 present for the All Blacks game tomorrow week, but there could be only 15,000 supporters present in the 51,700 seater stadium for the November 28th clash with the Pumas. Package purchasers may just write off the secondary game, but the IRFU are keen to clear up any confusion over the clubs’ responsibility for unsold Argentina tickets.

The fact that the fixture is on a Sunday, comes after the All Black Test and will be the victim of fixture fatigue from fans has the IRFU scampering for initiatives to bolster the attendance. Already they have organised special bus and train travel options for supporters coming to Dublin for the matches against Samoa and Argentina.

The IRFU have organised, through Irish Rail and Translink Northern Ireland, free train offers travelling from Cork, Limerick, Galway and Belfast for tomorrow’s Samoa game.

The Union has already pioneered a special clubs and schools bus travel offer, whereby if they inform the IRFU in advance, the club or school will be reimbursed the coach hire cost to the value of €400 — with €100 in expenses thrown in.

Said an IRFU spokesperson: “The bus offer will also be made available for clubs and schools travelling to the Argentina game. Details from the IRFU’s Maria Boland at 01-6473800.’’