Hamish McNeilly

A television audience numbering in the tens of millions is expected to tune in to watch England take on Argentina at a full Otago Stadium tonight.

A sell-out crowd for the opening Argentina v England match was likely to start a chain reaction of ticket sales and focus attention on Otago Stadium, the tournament boss says.

All eyes will be on the form of Dunedin's Nude Blacks as they tackle six Spanish senoritas and a senor in an unofficial Rugby World Cup curtain-raiser.

It was more a Night at the Proms than a dour ceremony when the England rugby team was welcomed by hundreds of vocal supporters in the Dunedin Town Hall yesterday.

Three of Dunedin's four Rugby World Cup matches are likely to sell out, with 74,000 tickets already snapped up by fans.

An outdated Otago Stadium map has been printed inside the official Rugby World Cup ticket-holders' booklets, but World Cup organisers say it will not be a problem.

A tweet from Stephen Fry has plugged the Dunedin visit of ''my old friend Sirocco the kakapo''.

Dunedin is set to star in the global spotlight.

Historic Knox Church faces a future without insurance after being hit with a 300% increase in premiums, and the situation could be the same for other churches, its minister warns.

The presence of grossly intoxicated females - including one found partially clothed and another who bit a policewoman - on Dunedin streets has shocked police.

The mother of a slain Dunedin teenager is disgusted the killer claimed he apologised to her after they met at a funeral.

An ambitious plan to resurrect the High St cable car is gaining traction.

Convicted murderer Clayton Weatherston is seeking leave to appeal to the Supreme Court against his conviction, leaving the family of his victim asking just when their ordeal will end.