Rugby World Cup: It's all about the craic as leprechauns meet bears

Auckland based Russian fans Simon Rosser and Simon Freeman get into the spirit of things before the Rugby World Cup match between Ireland and Russia. Photo / Alan Gibson

For the hordes of Irish supporters at the Rugby World Cup, watching rugby is all about "the craic" - having a few pints and a laugh, even if you're not actually Irish.

Thousands more jumped on the Emerald Isle's bandwagon when the Irish rolled into Rotorua International Stadium yesterday to confront a Russian team nicknamed "The Bears", playing at their first Rugby World Cup.

Earlier in the day hundreds packed out Rotorua's two Irish bars, Hennesy's and O'Malley's, several hours before last night's 6pm kickoff at the sold-out ground.

Most enjoyed the Guinness and Kilkenny's, while those not old enough had their faces painted, lapped up the Irish music and got themselves dressed up as leprechauns.

Among them was Niall O'Connor, who arrived in New Zealand from his home in Roscommon, Ireland, on Thursday with his mate Niall Brogan.

The pair are travelling around the country in a campervan for "three weeks but possibly longer if Ireland do really well".

Mr O'Connor said he was surprised at the support for his countrymen in New Zealand but believed their popularity here was because of similarities between the two nations.

"It's all about the craic, which is about having a laugh and a good time no matter what," he said. "It helps that people here are similar to the Irish, they're very friendly, enjoy a beer and don't like the English either."

Also there with his daughter Elaine and son Conor was Greg Gyde, another "Irish" supporter from Morrinsville in the Waikato.

Mr Gyde claimed his Irish ancestry through his wife, who could not be at last night's game because she lost her voice screaming during last week's win over the Australians.

"They [the Irish] are a fantastic crowd," he said. "They have the right attitude. Win, lose or draw they're just out there to have a good time and make some new friends, which is why we're here."

Hopeful but realistic about the outcome were Russian Bears supporters Andrey Sukhovey, his younger brother Oleg Sukhovey and their friend Kirill Pokidov. Not one of the trio could name a single player in the Russian team but they all said "the short guy" was "really fast".

Asked how their team would fare against the Irish they were all in no doubt.

"Oh, we are definitely not going to win," said Mr Sukhovey.

Originally from Vladivostok but now living in Auckland where he works in the finance industry, Mr Sukhovey said rugby was still finding its way as a sport in Russia. "But people like it because it's a tough physical sport ... . it builds character."

Another Russian, Mikhail Rogachev, a 43-year-old computer programmer from Moscow but also living in Auckland, said he had big plans if his countrymen won.

"If we win I am absolutely getting completely drunk ... maybe I [will] get drunk anyway," he said.

Mr Rogachev believed his nation would one day be a powerhouse of the game. "Now is [the] first time at World Cup ... not now but maybe in [the] future, we will be strong."

Ireland beat Russia 62-12.