Super 12 final tickets sell out in minutes

12.00pm

Close to 30,000 tickets sold out in a matter of minutes today for the Super 12 rugby final between the Blues and Crusaders in Auckland on Saturday.

About 28,500 tickets went on sale for the public at 9am and sold out by 10.40am.

"We expected tickets to the final to sell very quickly when they went on sale this morning, but this has been absolutely incredible," Blues chief executive David White said.

The venue for the final, Eden Park, has a capacity of 45,000, and the balance of 16,500 tickets had already been allocated to season ticketholders, sponsors and other parties.

The interest in the match has been put down to the fact that it is an all-New Zealand final and a contrast of two styles - the free flowing Blues game against the disciplined approach of the Crusaders.

Earlier Blues captain Xavier Rush said his team would relish facing the defending champion Crusaders.

"We've got a lot of respect for the Crusaders but we've got a lot of respect for ourselves too," he said.

Crusaders captain Reuben Thorne is happy to admit his team don't go out to excite when the Super 12 rugby finals roll around.

Their comprehensive 39-16 semi-final win over the Hurricanes in Christchurch was a fine example of the no frills style the Crusaders have employed to win four titles, with a shot at a fifth looming in next weekend's final.

Finals football - comprising relentless defence, few mistakes and domineering forward play - proved too much for a less-experienced Hurricanes side at Jade Stadium.

- NZPA