Two down, two to go for Invesco Perpetual Series
And total sales for the four games have broken through the 200,000 mark, with last season’s record breaking figure of more than 290,000 fast approaching.
The games against Australia and New Zealand have put up the sold-out signs and the Welsh team is guaranteed an 11th successive capacity home gate when Scott Johnson’s Wallabies kick-off the annual autumn rugby celebration at the Millennium Stadium on 4 November.
Tickets sales for the historic clash with the Pacific Islands team on Saturday, 11 November (KO 14.30) have already broken through the 50,000 barrier and more than 40,000 have been sold for the game against 2007 Rugby World Cup Pool rivals Canada on Friday, 17 November (KO 19.30).
The Invesco Perpetual Series will be the first time for Welsh fans to see Head Coach Gareth Jenkins’ side in action on home soil and will also be the first assignment as captain for Stephen Jones.
“We have got four huge games to play in November and we will need the same level of support we have enjoyed in recent years if we are to get the morale boosting wins we are aiming for,” said Jones.
“The support from the fans at the Millennium Stadium has been phenomenal in recent years. The bigger the crowd and the louder the noise, the more intimidated the opposition become and the better Wales play.
“It’s great news that the games against Australia and New Zealand are sold-out, but we need to get to the same stage for the other two matches. I want my team to have the backing of the whole nation when they go into battle next month.”
Former Newport skipper Simon Raiwalui will be leading the Pacific Islands on their first tour to the northern hemisphere and the Fijian star is joined by Welsh regional players Deacon Manu (Scarlets) and Taufa’ao Felise (Blues).
The Pacific Islanders’ squad, coached by Pat Lam and former New Zealand and Wales full back Shane Howarth, is made up of 12 Samoans, 9 Fijians and 7 Tongans.
Wales have twice lost to Samoa in the Rugby World Cup in Cardiff and will be the first European side to tackle a team who played all three southern hemisphere nations in 2004. They went down 29-14 to Australia, 41-26 to New Zealand and 38-24 to South Africa and the South Sea Islanders are expected to sizzle in Cardiff.
“With more than 210,000 tickets already sold we are on course to reach our target of four full houses and it shows Welsh fans are getting ready to back Gareth Jenkins and his new squad to glory across the four matches next month.,” said WRU chief executive Steve Lewis.
“The response from the clubs has been fantastic and now the public sale via our ticket agents, Ticketmaster, is also gathering momentum. The series promises great rugby and great entertainment for rugby fans.
“Australia will be looking for revenge after last year’s defeat in Cardiff, the Pacific Islanders should be particularly exciting and will be looking to make a statement on their historic first Test in Europe, the Canadians will be gunning for some success ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup clash and Graham Henry and Steve Hansen will be hoping not to become the first All Blacks coaches to lose to Wales since 1953.
“Gareth Jenkins and his players wanted quality fixtures and the WRU has delivered. The only thing left is for the fans to fill up all the seats and add their weight and legendary passion to the Welsh cause.”
Remaining tickets for Wales’ clash with the Pacific Islands, priced at £45 adults, and Canada, priced at just £10 adult and £5 concession, are available: on-line at www.ticketmaster.co.uk and via the Millennium Stadium ticket office at 98 St Mary Street in Cardiff City centre by calling the Ticketmaster hotline on 08705 582 582.
