'Crazy' rivalry on another level

BRING IT ON: Patriotic to the core, All Black supporter Israel Whakatau and his Australian partner Keana Wells remain loyal to their home countries when it comes to transtasman rugby games.PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

It can get pretty loud at the Whakatau-Wells house when the All Blacks play the Wallabies - so much so their neighbours once called police.

Australian-born Keana Wells is a staunch Wallabies supporter while her Rotorua partner Israel Whakatau is backing the black shirt all the way.

The 21-year-olds admit to getting a little over enthusiastic when it comes to transtasman rivalry.

In fact the couple once yelled and screamed so loudly Australian neighbours called the police, thinking it was a domestic incident.

"People think there's a big fight going on when we yell at the TV," said Ms Wells.

The "pure Aussie supporter" from Brisbane grew up with nine brothers and sisters and lives rugby and league.

"We're all like seagulls screaming our heads off especially when it's close - my dad goes nuts."

She's not too sure who will win this one.

"It will be a good game. Hopefully it will be Aussie, but the All Blacks are really good at rugby. If Australia win I'll rub it in for a couple of days.

"New Zealand is going pretty good. If they win I'm packing up and going back to Aussie," she joked.

Mr Whakatau said the couple have lived together for two years so had been through a few other matches.

"I've been getting a few cheeky comments. It get crazy sometimes when we get at each other a lot."

And if the All Blacks lose? "I'll be stuffed in Aussie and never hear the end of it - at least until the next Rugby World Cup."

Ms Wells gets the last word in.

"Why do you think the Aussies are gold? Because they match the world cup. We've got it."