Lois O'Connor (88) was delighted to receive two tickets to the test from New Zealand Rugby League southern zone general manager Steve Martin yesterday, and already has a friend in mind to take to the game.
Her late husband, Stan, who died 14 years ago, was an 11-year-old ball boy at the 1928 test between the sides in Dunedin.
He came from a rugby league family and contributed to the local league scene for many years through the sale of Art Union lottery tickets, the proceeds of which helped the Otago Rugby League set up Colossal Park, now Tonga Park.
He also came in handy when rugby league historians were looking to fill in some gaps.
''Stan had a good memory and he could fill in dates and names all about the rugby league,'' his wife said.
Lois O'Connor still tries to watch rugby league when she can on free-to-air television.
''What I like [compared to rugby union] is when they get the ball, they get time to play it.''
Martin was pleased with ticket sales for the test - the first test in Dunedin in 86 years - which were rolling along nicely.
''It's comparable to an All Black test match this far out,'' he said.
''The ticket prices are very affordable - the maximum price is $49 ... and the cheapest is $25 so it's a marvellous opportunity to get in and get tickets for that.''
The curtain-raiser would be a match between a New Zealand Universities side and a South Island selection, Martin said.
