Christchurch Fans to See Kiwis vs Kangaroos

Thursday, March 24, 2011

MEDIA RELEASE

With tickets now on sale, all Rugby League fans have their chance to be part of the first ever Test played on the Gold Coast between Australia and New Zealand on May 6 and a week that will highlight the courage of disaster affected communities rebuilding people’s lives across Queensland and in Christchurch.

Jetstar will assist in bringing 250 fans from Christchurch, the original venue for the match, to the Gold Coast free of charge and they will stay on for a Kiwi double-header between the Titans and Warriors on Sunday, May 8, while fans from flood affected areas in Queensland will also be invited.

The Queensland Government has given its support to send a clear message that the state is back in business as a sporting and tourist destination and thousands of interstate and overseas visitors are expected to take advantage of special ticket packages.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh today joined the Australian and New Zealand Rugby Leagues, NRL and Gold Coast Titans to announce a series of community initiatives including:

• Jetstar, in partnership with the NZRL, ARL and Gold Coast Titans, will bring 250 fans from Christchurch to the match free of charge. As well as the Test and NRL match between the Titans and Warriors, they will also attend one of the region’s iconic theme parks;

• Former NRL stars, including New Zealand World Cup-winning captain Nathan Cayless, will conduct a community visit in Christchurch on Thursday, May 5, before joining fans on the flight to the Gold Coast;

• The ARL and NRL will invite 250 people from flood-affected regions in Queensland to be special guests at the Test;

• Special travel offers from NZ Rugby League sponsor Flight Centre will be available to assist Kiwi fans travelling to the Gold Coast for the Test and the Telstra Premiership match;

• A special combo ticket offer has been made available that includes the Test on May 6 and the NRL Telstra Premiership match between the Titans and Warriors on the Gold Coast on Sunday, May 8;

• On Monday, May 9, Titans and Warriors players will visit flood affected areas Ipswich and Goodna as part of the NRL’s Adopt A Region Program, which encourages NRL and grass-roots clubs across Australia to partner affected clubs or regions in fundraising efforts.

“There is a proud sporting rivalry between our two nations and we have witnessed some enthralling matches in the past few years,” ARL Chief Executive, Mr Geoff Carr, said today.

“This Test will add a new chapter to that rivalry but, significantly, it will provide a stage to honour the courage and spirit of all those people whose lives have been affected by the floods, Cyclone Yasi and the Christchurch earthquake.

“We have received great support from the NRL, Jetstar and the Titans to make this a special occasion for families from across Queensland and Christchurch and I would encourage all Rugby League fans to come out and share in that tribute.”

New Zealand Rugby League Chief Executive, Mr Jim Doyle, said the entire Test week would be memorable for both its historic significance and for the chance to provide a little cheer for some people from Christchurch and Queensland.

“It’s not possible to do enough for them after what they’ve endured and are still enduring but we are determined to help in whatever small way we can,” he said.

“Given the recent history between the Kiwis and Kangaroos it’s great to be able to take our traditional rivalry to a new venue and, at the same time, give a group of New Zealand and Australian fans a unique experience.

“While it was our intention to have this Test in Christchurch originally, it simply isn’t possible this time but, through this united effort, we will still be able to bring some people from Christchurch to be a part of history.”

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said: “Skilled Park will soon play host to a huge weekend of sport that will honour the courage and spirit of disaster affected communities.

“It means thousands of interstate and overseas visitors and once again demonstrates that Queensland is back in business.

“It’s hoped this event will bring a little cheer and relief to those who’ve been through an incredibly tough few months.”

Mr Doyle noted the NZRL was still working through a process with Jetstar, the Titans and the Queensland Government to determine how the 250 seats on special Jetstar flights would be allocated.

He said further details would be released as soon as possible about the seats and also about the community activity planned in Christchurch during the week of the Test.

To mark the historic event, a special Category 3 ticket combo is available for just $50 for adults and $140 for families that includes the Test and the Titans v Warriors Telstra Premiership match.

Tickets are available from Ticketek on 132 849, at Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au from 9am AEST and from 10am AEDT on Thursday, March 24. (Maximum purchase eight tickets per customer).

2011 VB Test
Skilled Park, Gold Coast – 8pm Friday, May 6.

Price Category Adult Concession Junior Family
1 $75.00 $65.00 $60.00 $210.00
2 $50.00 $40.00 $35.00 $135.00
3 $30.00 $25.00 $20.00 $80.00

• Concessions are available to full pensioners (Aged, War, TPI, Invalid & Disability) and juniors aged 4 –15 years inclusive. Children 3 and under are free if sitting on a parent’s knee.
• Family passes consist of 2 adults and 2 juniors or 1 adult and 3 juniors only.
• These prices are inclusive of GST and booking fee.

COMBO TICKET DEAL (Category 3 tickets)
Adult (Test Match + Titans v Warriors) $50.00
Concession (Test Match + Titans v Warriors) $40.00
Junior (Test Match + Titans v Warriors) $35.00
Family of 4 (Test Match + Titans v Warriors) $140.00

Ticketek Outlets For Telephone Booking Collection

NSW
Ticketek@Park
Cnr Park and Castlereagh streets
Sydney
Theatre Royal
MLC Centre
106 King Street
Sydney

Parramatta Leagues Club
13-15 O'Connell St
Parramatta

Newcastle Entertainment Centre
Brown Rd
Broadmeadow

Wollongong Entertainment Centre
Cnr Harbour and Crown St
Wollongong

Victoria
Ticketek Head Office:
Her Majesty’s Theatre – Agency
225 Exhibition Street
Melbourne

Crown Casino Showroom
Level 1 West End Crown Ent Cent
Whiteman Street
Southbank VIC 3006

Melbourne Park
Bateman Avenue
Melbourne ACT
Canberra Ticketek
GIO House
11 Akuna St
Canberra City

Queensland
Brisbane City Box Office
Myer Centre, Shop 97
Ground Floor, Elizabeth Street

Gold Coast Arts Centre
135 Bundall Rd
Bundall QLD 4217

South Australia
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
118 Port Road
Hindmarsh SA 5007

SA Travel Centre - Collection Agency
18 King William St, Adelaide SA 5000

Harnett and George Pharmacy
94 Murray St
Gawler SA 5118

Western Australia
Burswood Entertainment Complex
Burswood Casino
Riverside Entrance
Burswood WA 6100

Pharmacity - Collection
717 Hay Street Mall
Perth WA 6000

Regal Theatre
474 Hay St
Subiaco WA 6008

New Zealand Ticket Sales

Customers in New Zealand can purchase tickets by calling the Ticketek New Zealand Call Centre on 0800 842 538 and ask for Australian bookings, or via the Australian Ticketek website www.ticketek.com.au. In person sales (agency sales) for Australian events are available from the following Ticketek NZ Box Offices:

Auckland
Skycity Casino
Level 3 Box Office
Federal Street Auckland
Mon to Sat 10am-5pm
Wellington
Westpac St James Theatre
77-87 Courtenay Place Wellington
Mon to Fri 9.00am - 5:30pm

ENDS

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