Get the All Black look without going for broke

Photo / Richard Robinson

If you want to support the All Blacks during the World Cup, there are cheaper alternatives to the official products - a survey shows you can drape yourself head to foot for under $100.

Forget the $220 adidas wants you to pay for a replica jersey - instead, try a black supporters shirt from The Warehouse for less than $30.

The cheapest option for a plain black tee would be from Hallensteins for between $10 and $15.

Scarves can be picked up for between $20 and $52 from Rebel Sport, or from The Warehouse for $15.

Car flags have been flying off shelves $5 at a time at The Warehouse. Champions of the World has flags that double as capes for $10.

And to top off your World Cup outfit, sports cushions are available from The Warehouse for $4.

Rugby World Cup Superstores in downtown Auckland said customer numbers had doubled in the past week and sales had also risen.

Among popular items were England, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa world cup dog collars.

Offices and houses are also getting in on the party, and the official supplier of flag bunting sold out yesterday.

The Viaduct's RWC2011 Superstore manager, Judy McMahon, said the hype was starting to build and customers were buying items supporting specific countries.

Popular items had been the dog collars, Samoan shirts and anything supporting Argentina - although All Black gear had been steady throughout the build up.

"Dog collars have been really popular with New Zealand fans and just standard World Cup collars," said Ms McMahon.

"I think people are just getting into the spirit of it. A lot are coming in wanting to dress up their offices."

Canine Spirit markets the dog collars through companies like RWC2011 for $29.50 but they can also be found at the SPCA, Champions of the World, some vet clinics and gift shops. Or the cheaper option would be a RWC dog tag for $12.95.

Carolyn Cresswell of Canine Spirit said the idea was about sharing the World Cup with your best friend.

She said sales showed Australia products moved slowest.

Greg Flynn, general manager of Sportfolio which supplies RWC2011 Superstores, said the company was on track to hit sales targets and he believed there would be a second wave of customers wanting World Cup items.

Des Flynn, national general manager customer channels for The Warehouse, said flags had sold out several times and new stock was being brought in to keep up with demand.

Other All Blacks products - both official Rugby World Cup gear and plain black clothing - were flying out the doors.

"It's just been absolutely mental," Mr Flynn said. "Anything that is black is just skyrocketing in sales - black t-shirts, black scarves, black beanies. Everything."

The rush will help forecasts that the World Cup will bring in about $700m to the economy.