It appears rugby league fever is starting to take hold in Dunedin.

The city will host its first international league game in 86 years when New Zealand plays England in a Four Nations match at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night.

The Kiwis upset Australia 30-12 in their opening game and then fought back to beat Samoa 14-12 on Sunday.

Those successes have had a positive spin-off, with Dunedin Venues marketing and communications manager Kim Barnes reporting increased demand for tickets.

''It is looking good,'' she said.

''We have had some categories in some parts of the stadium sold out. It is all the wins by those Kiwis that has got everyone excited.

''NZRL [New Zealand Rugby League] are not giving out any numbers, but they are certainly pleased with how it is going.

"But even since the first match, and certainly since the weekend, the sales have been increasing every day.''

There are still tickets available in every stand.

There are no temporary seats so the capacity will be 22,266.

England, meanwhile, will be smarting from its 16-12 loss to Australia.

Winger Ryan Hall was denied a try in the final stages of the match when he claimed to have forced the ball with his fingertip.