TICKET sales for the Gillette Tri-Nations clash between Great Britain and New Zealand at the Galpharm Stadium are about to smash through the 15,000 barrier.
The key clash may be nine days away (Saturday, November 6), but stadium officials are already predicting a crowd of over 20,000.
A bumper 23,604 watched the last Lions v Kiwi stadium showdown on November 17, 2002, and beating that mark would also appear to be well within grasp.
And stadium chief executive Ralph Rimmer hasn't given up hope of attracting a capacity crowd of around 24,500.
"Interest in the fixture and ticket sales are increasing every day," confirmed Rimmer.
"By close of play today we're very hopeful of breaking through the 15,000 barrier.
"And we are expecting demand for tickets to increase immediately after the Great Britain-Australia match in Manchester on Saturday.
"That's when the profile of this Tri-Nations tournament will be at its height, and staff at the stadium ticket office are braced for a busy few days.
"We've already sold out of our first batch of tickets and have just received some more.
"All the signs suggest we are heading for a crowd of 20,000, and it would be marvellous if we could attract a capacity gate."
Meanwhile, top Giants duo Ben Roarty and Chris Nero both received 11th-hour calls and were in the ANZACS squad that beat Cumbria 64-12 at Workington last night.
