Wellington couple win first Rugby World Cup finals tickets

Brendan Bartlett at the Wellington regional Stadium with Heineken girls Renee Newpoert, left, and Tina Rowe after winning two tickets for the Rugby World Cup 2011 final. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A newly-wed Wellington couple have won the first two tickets to the 2011 Rugby World Cup final in a competition.

Brendan and Monica Bartlett, who married 12 days ago, said they were blown away to get the tickets to the final at Eden Park on October 23, 2011.

Entrants in the Heineken competition had to be seated at Wellington's Westpac Stadium by midday today, and were given numbered tickets from which the winners were drawn.

"I'm a huge rugby fan. I'm not sure when it's going to sink in," Mr Bartlett said.

"You go along and you don't expect to win...let's just hope the All Blacks get there, eh."

His wife was also a big rugby fan, and even a crowbar wouldn't be able to remove the ticket from her hand, Mr Bartlett said.

He had thought his time in the spotlight was over after the wedding, but media jostled to get photos of the couple this afternoon.

Heineken New Zealand managing director Brian Blake said the company was keen to get New Zealanders into the stadium for the final, and would be providing lots more opportunities for tickets in the 905 days until the final.

Public tickets go on sale early next year.

- NZPA