With the domestic rugby league season done and dusted we’ve finally been treated to some brilliant international rugby league with Tonga’s historic three test tour, the Mate Ma’a becoming the first tier two nation to tour England.
Last weekend’s first clash saw England edge out their opponents by a scoreline of 22-18 with a Tom Johnstone second-half brace pushing the game behind the visitor’s reach.
That first clash saw Kristian Woolf return to the stadium he called home however he was far from happy with the surface at St Helens’ Totally Wicked Stadium, noting that the soft underground was of detriment to his players.
He did however allude to the fact that ‘it’s a better track at Huddersfield’, which is where the two teams will meet for the second test and following a crowd of almost 13,000 last weekend, it’s reported that ticket sales are once again strong for the second test.
A crowd of 12,898 turned up at the Totally Wicked Stadium to watch England defeat Tonga and Serious About Rugby League can now reveal that ticket sales for the game at the John Smith’s Stadium are past 10,000 and on a similar trajectory.
Perhaps even more impressively the ticket sales for the third and final test, set to take place at Headingley on Saturday 4th November, are trending towards a sell-out crowd.
Serious About Rugby League understands that tickets for seats are ‘thin on the ground’ and as a result the terraces could be bouncing if sales continue to trend upwards.
Of course that Headingley test also sees England Women take on Wales Women with the game being a double header, whilst Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow will be in attendance for their book signing as well – something that will take place between the two games.
Headingley didn’t host any England games at the World Cup last year, despite having historically hosted the most England games of all time.
It will actually be the first time England men have played in Leeds since 2018, however that clash saw the Kiwis run riot at Elland Road with England losing 34-0.
The last time Headingley hosted an England Men’s match was actually in 2011 when they faced off against the Exiles, a game 14,174 saw England lose 16-12.
Hopefully the third Tonga test will see a better crowd and a more positive result for Shaun Wane’s men.
