Tickets for the Crusaders' Super rugby match against the Sharks at Twickenham in London next week are selling fast.
The Crusaders campaign was disrupted by the February 22 magnitude 6.3 earthquake, with their home ground too severely damaged to host games.
The Christchurch franchise last week asked the English Rugby
Football Union (RFU) if they could host the March 26 fixture.
Although the request was initially turned down for logistical reasons, the game was later confirmed for March 27.
It is the first time a Super rugby match has been played outside Sanzar countries South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
More than 30,000 tickets were sold in the first 30 hours after they went on sale. A United Ticketmaster spokesman said it was the strongest response to a rugby match outside an international that he had experienced.
A percentage of each ticket sold will go towards the Christchurch earthquake recovery appeal.
Since the earthquake, the Crusaders have played two home games in Nelson and this weekend are away to the Highlanders in Dunedin.
On a bye in round seven, the Crusaders will play their eighth round match on April 9 against the Bulls in Timaru.
- NZPA
