- SYDNEY: The common line from New Zealanders is that they’re supporting two teams at the Rugby World Cup: the All Blacks, and any team playing archrival Australia.
There’s been signs referring to it at every match Australia has played, and New Zealand-born Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper has been repeatedly booed at matches and vilified as public enemy No. 1 in the local media.
Ahead of the World Cup semifinal on Sunday, the Australian Rugby Union is tapping into the sometimes not-so-neighborly rivalry.
Describing the semifinal as the “ultimate challenge,” the ARU urged Australians everywhere to unit in support of the Wallabies.
"The All Blacks are playing at their long-time fortress, Eden Park and they are playing in front of parochial home fans — a crowd that has booed Quade Cooper since the tournament kicked off".