By William Taylor
Rugby fans in New Zealand have said that if their side fail to win in the World Cup again, they would rather see anyone other than Australia win the competition.
A recent survey showed that All Blacks supporters would be so opposed to seeing the Wallabies win, that they would happily see any other nation come out on top.
The survey published in the New Zealand Herald posed the question: “Which country do you least want to win the Rugby World Cup?”
It was no surprise when the results came back showing that those in a Australia RWC Jersey would be that side, as they simply could not bear having it rubbed in by their nearest neighbours.
Nearly 34% of all respondents picked Australia; almost double the figure of the Kiwi’s other major rivals South Africa (18.6%).
It seems it would simply be too much to take for New Zealand fans if Australia were to become World Champions as well as holding the Tri Nations trophy.
Despite Queen Elizabeth being their monarch, fans voted England (9.1%) the third least favourites to win, just ahead of France (6.5%).
Perhaps the oddest result of all in the survey, however, was that almost 5% of New Zealand fans said their own country was the side they least wanted to see win.
There is no chance of seeing an Australia and New Zealand final, though. If the sides were to meet, it is set to be in the semi-final stage.
Australia begin their World Cup challenge with a game against Italy in Auckland on September 11, before taking on Ireland at the same venue on September 17.
They travel to Wellington to take on the USA on September 23, before their final pool game against Russia in Nelson on October 1.
It looks all set to be a memorable world cup, where old rivalries will be renewed, and maybe, a new champion will be crowned.