Japan's rising sons click with searchers on auction site

Before the Cup Trade Me received no more than five searches a week for Japanese rugby. Photo / Dean Purcell

Searches for Japanese rugby memorabilia have skyrocketed on Trade Me since the Brave Blossoms' blistering World Cup opener against South Africa.

As the knockout stages of the tournament near, the auction site has revealed which teams punters are backing with their wallets.

Sales and searches for Cup items have jumped since the tournament began. Trade Me spokesman Logan Mudge said the activity "mirrors the trials and tribulations of the teams".

Surprise heroes Japan were among the most popular, coming in third behind the All Blacks and England.

"They've kind of become a second team for a lot of people, plus there are a few Kiwis in the team," he said.

Before the Cup, Mr Mudge said, Trade Me received no more than five searches a week for Japanese rugby.

"Since they beat South Africa, we've had more than 1000 searches, which is obviously a big change," he said. "They've been the darlings of the World Cup since their giant-killing performance against South Africa."

Signed RWC 2011 jerseys feature alongside Japanese rugby ties from the '90s, programmes from past games and even an old school desk emblazoned with a Japanese rugby sticker, all showing New Zealand's enthusiasm for the Brave Blossoms.

Searches for All Blacks gear also spiked following their opening victory against Argentina, with 14,000 searches that week. However, they have fallen since that peak.

Mr Mudge said Trade Me was expecting superstitious fans would be on the hunt for gear to boost spirits come Sunday morning, when the All Blacks will try to avoid a repeat against France of one of their more notorious World Cup losses.

It's not all rugby jerseys and flags when it comes to All Blacks listings, with one rugby enthusiast selling a large-scale oil painting of Richie McCaw.

Entitled "The Real McCaw", the listing has been viewed about 5500 times, with the current bid sitting at $1110.

The artist will donate 25 per cent of the proceeds from the sale to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.