Four Nations final sells out
The RFL has today posted the ‘House Full’ notices at Elland Road ahead of the 2011 Gillette Four Nations final between England and Australia on Saturday.
The last of the 34,174 available tickets for the 2011 season finale were snapped up at lunchtime today, leaving hundreds of fans disappointed at missing out on what is expected to be one of the most closely fought international showdowns of recent years.
“It’s fantastic news and very fitting that England and Australia will battle it out in front of a sell out crowd and I’m sure everyone at the game on Saturday and the people who will watch the game live on TV will witness a real cracker,” said RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood.
“We have seen some terrific action already during the Gillette Four Nations and with both England and Australia in top form, the final promises to be a modern day classic.
“This tournament has really captured the imagination of Rugby League fans across the world and though it’s a shame that many people have had to miss out.
“We have worked closely with Leeds United to free up as many seats as possible by working around the restrictions caused by the ongoing construction work on the East Stand at Elland Road to ensure that as many people as possible have had the chance to see this fixture.”
England secured their place in the final following an impressive 28-6 win over world champions New Zealand in Hull last weekend, since when fans have snapped up almost 20,000 tickets for a match which sees England bid to avenge a 36-20 defeat at the hands of the Kangaroos at Wembley a fortnight ago.
An extra 500 tickets were released for sale early this morning, but with a waiting list of over 1,000 names they were quickly sold and the attendance at this year’s decider will surpass that witnessed when the side’s clashed in the 2009 final, when 31,042 turned out at Elland Road.
“The size of the crowd reflects the public’s growing faith in the national team and the atmosphere is going to be electric, just as it has been each time England have played in the last few weeks,” added Wood.
“We will be distributing 30,000 flags of St George at Elland Road on Saturday and I’m sure the home fans will provide the colour, the noise and the energy that can bring out the best in England.”
The 2011 Gillette Four Nations final between England and Australia at Elland Road, Leeds kicks-off at 6.00pm on Saturday, November 19 and will be shown live on Sky Sports 2. Extended highlights will be screened on BBC2 at 5.00pm on Sunday.
