Confidence in All Blacks Cup win dips - poll

Photo / Sarah Ivey

All Blacks fans are less confident that they will win the Rugby World Cup than they were in 2003 when it was hosted by Australia, a UMR Research poll shows.

After successive early exits from the cup, of those surveyed who were interested in rugby, 77 per cent believed the All Blacks would win the World Cup, compared to 2003 when 85 per cent of fans were confident they would win.

The poll randomly surveyed 750 people aged over 18 and compared answers to the same questions it asked Kiwis in 2003.

The All Blacks were favourites but were knocked out in the semifinals by Australia.

South Africa were rated as New Zealand's most serious opponents by 39 per cent of the participants, followed by Australia on 32 per cent.