Fans rush for ABs' Napier test tickets

Iam Matehe (left), Napier; Manu Karangaroa, Napier; Chris Tearle, Havelock North; and Bev Healey, Napier wait at the front of the queue to buy All Blacks v Argentina test tickets. Photo/Warren Buckland

Tickets to the All Blacks' rugby test against Argentina in Napier are not sold out but have been selling "incredibly quickly" since they became available yesterday morning, outlets say.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union commercial manager Jay Campbell said there had been some confusion about whether tickets to the match at McLean Park, Napier, on September 6 as part of the 2014 Investec Rugby Championships, had sold out.

He confirmed tickets were not sold out last night but they were selling "incredibly quickly" and fewer than 5000 remained.

Hawke's Bay Rugby Union, the only physical TicketDirect outlet in nz, was overwhelmed by thousands of people yesterday, who lined the streets to buy tickets.

The first ticket was sold to Chris Tearle, 27, of Havelock North, who waited on the street in a camping chair from 4am yesterday.

"I was the first one there," Mr Tearle said proudly. "That was the plan; no mucking around ... I love my rugby."

By 9am there were about 300 people waiting for tickets to go on sale.

Mr Campbell said remaining tickets were seated in the TicketDirect Temporary Stand, which was used during the Rugby World Cup at Eden Park and offered "magnificent views".

There were also 700 children's tickets still available.

It was one of only three chances to see the All Blacks in action on home soil this year.

"Make the most of it because they won't be back here for a long time."

The All Blacks last played in Napier in 1996 against Samoa.