A search through available dates at Dunedin motels and hotels around the September 25 game at Forsyth Barr Stadium shows most are booked out.
But Motel Association Otago president Alex Greenan said that might not be the case.
Accommodation providers often dealt with a lot of cancellations around rugby games, and in a bid to avoid that some places decide not to make the dates available until closer to the
game, he said.
"It appears online that the place is sold out, but in fact it’s not."
It was because many people would book accommodation without actually having rugby tickets and some bought "lots" of accommodation in case their friends could go, he said.
"There is nothing worse from our perspective where you have sold everything out, and then the next minute they are coming back to say they are cancelling because they have not got tickets."
He advised those needing accommodation to "keep trying and looking".
Dunedin i-Site visitor centre manager Louise van de Vlierd said she had not heard of hotels or motels using that method, but said Mr Greenan was right that people took a "punt" and booked accommodation the minute a match was announced.
However, Ms van de Vlierd assured people there would always be a bed.
The i-Site team were still managing to find accommodation for people, but it was getting to a "tight stage".
"If you want a motel in George St near to the match, you’re not going to get that now," she said.
"Unfortunately, a lot of people have expectations that they are going to get something right in town."
While people may not get their ideal accommodation, there would be something available, she said.
"I have never known a match to be on and the town to be totally booked out on the day.
"There has always been a bed left."
Jiselle Cazemier, of Ebb-Dunedin hotel, said she had heard of some places using the tactic mentioned my Mr Greenan, but they had not.
Their 28 centre city rooms became fully booked out on September 25 about a month ago, and some of those people had secured accommodation before the rugby tickets even went on sale.
Hotel St Clair confirmed they also became fully booked on that date about a month ago and had five people on a wait list.
Ange Black, from 97 Motel Moray, said they were in the same position and had to create a wait list.
Mr Greenan said having the match in Dunedin was the "little shot in the arm" that accommodation and hospitality businesses needed.
"It is just fantastic."
