All Blacks v Argentina: 'I'll beat you' say black and blue couple

Argentine Ramiro Diaz Vela with partner Linda Clarke, of New Zealand. Photo / Natalie Slade

They say all is fair in love and war - an adage which will be of particular importance to one couple this weekend.

As the All Blacks and Argentina gear up for their big clash on Sunday, so too will Linda Clarke and Ramiro Diaz Vela as they smear on their patriotic war paint.

Mr Diaz Vela, 31, moved to New Zealand from Argentina four years ago and met Auckland woman Linda Clarke two years later.

But his love for a Kiwi woman and her country has not translated to the national rugby team - he is a firm Argentina supporter.

"I love the rugby and I love my team, of course. So for the two hours of the match we will finish our relationship, then come back," he said.

When Ms Clarke, 41, was told that Mr Diaz Vela intended to stop their relationship for the duration of the quarter-final game, she laughed.

"I've told him that if by some chance they win - that's it, we're finished. I couldn't live with him any more." But Argentina won't win, she added.

On Tuesday the couple got tickets to the match which means they'll be stuck in seats next to each other in the crowd.

Ms Clarke said they would be dressed in their own team colours - her in black and him in blue.

Mr Diaz Vela is slightly more apprehensive about his side's chances and said he'd back black if Argentina are knocked out. "I support Argentina of course, but I don't think we have any chance to beat New Zealand, so I'll probably support New Zealand in the future as well."

The couple met at Auckland nightclub Spy Bar two years ago. He recently took Ms Clarke back to Argentina to show her his country and said she fell in love with the nation.

"But of course she supports the All Blacks - it's her team."