Just how many tickets have been sold for the match against Great Britain on November 8 at Forsyth Barr Stadium is a mystery, because the New Zealand Rugby League is refusing to disclose specific numbers.
However, NZRL southern zone general manager Steve Martin said fans from inside and outside Otago had been getting behind the match.
''We are thrilled with the ticket sales to date. With over two weeks to go, and the Kiwis in action on Saturday night in Australia, the game looks likely to be close to a sellout.''
Martin was also pleased both sides would be in Dunedin for tmost of the week leading into the match.
''The Kiwis and Great Britain team have been very generous in coming to Dunedin well before the game and are actively engaging with the community in a number of ways,'' he said.
Great Britain is scheduled to arrive in Dunedin on the Monday before the test, while the Kiwis will follow on the Tuesday.
Both sides will train on the Wednesday, with the Kiwis at Logan Park from 9am to noon and Great Britain at Tahuna Park from 5pm to 7pm.
Great Britain players will be available to sign autographs after training and fans could watch the side train after work, Martin said.
Kiwis coach Steve Kearney and assistant coach David Kidwell are scheduled to hold a coaching forum at the Otago Institute of Sport from 7.30am to 8.30am on the Thursday, while Kiwis captain Simon Mannering is set to front a leadership forum for secondary schools pupils at Otago Boys' High School from noon to 1pm.
A rugby league tag carnival at Kaikorai Valley College is also scheduled on the Thursday at 11am and is open to the public.
The night before the big game, a union v league debate will be held at the Glenroy Auditorium.
Radio host Tony Veitch will referee the debate, featuring Sir Peter Leitch, former Kiwi and Warrior Tony Iro, and rugby league international federation chairman Nigel Wood.
Organisers were still trying to lure a couple of ''big'' names to debate for the rugby side of the debate, Martin said. Tickets can be purchased through Dunedin Venues Management Ltd.
At 3pm on the day of the test, Otago University and Kia Toa will play a game of nines at Logan Park, before the two clubs play a traditional match at 3.30pm.
The curtain raiser for the test between a South Island XIII and NZ Universities and Tertiary Students XIII will kickoff at Forsyth Barr Stadium at 5.30pm.
The test match kicks off at 8pm.
-by Robert Van Royen.
