Rugby World Cup: Tartan army of Aucklanders

Invercargill was Braveheart country when Scotland beat Georgia there, now it's Auckland's turn as the Scots take on their traditional foe, England, at Eden Park. Photo / Otago Daily Times

A mania for tartan has swept Auckland men as costume shops struggle to supply kilts before Scotland's Rugby World Cup clash against England.

Hundreds of Scottish flags and pots of blue and white facepaint have also been snapped up, leading to predictions of a near-capacity crowd for the Scots at Eden Park tomorrow - with 3000 match tickets still available.

Look Sharp costume shop marketing manager Drew Lim said the Auckland store had run out of Scottish-themed items every day this week.

"It's beyond our expectations - we hadn't stocked enough and we've had to order extra," Mr Lim said.

"All the big flags have sold out, and we've had to put out another big box of blue and white facepaint. It's the colours of Scotland. We've prepared another box, and there are more than 200 in each one."

Kilts, in particular, have become a best-seller at the store, snapped up by groups of six to eight men at a time.

"In the last few days whenever we get stock we've sold out, so we're preparing more today. We've got a new box out here and more in storage," Mr Lim said.

"We've sold out everything. We wouldn't usually sell this many in a whole year."

Auckland city councillor Cathy Casey, proud of her Scottish heritage, said Kiwis would be right behind the team on Saturday - "all to do with our long years of subjugation by the English".

"There will be a real big home crowd for Scotland," Dr Casey said. "[There has been] tremendous support from Kiwis for the Scots to whup the English on Saturday."

Dr Casey will watch the match from a VIP suite at Eden Park, wearing a kilt - and possibly facepaint.

"I was a wee bit worried when I heard there was a dress protocol for being in the VIP section for the council. But I thought, oh well, if I'm going to be out there I will wear the kilt as a dress item," she said.

"I've seen flags all over the place. They've been prominent and they'll be more so closer to Saturday."

Fellow councillor Cameron Brewer will be joining Ms Casye in a kilt at the Scottish festival in Remuera, which starts at 10am before the match.

Several pipe and drum bands, a parade, Scottish dancers, cheerleaders and a haggis ceremony have been planned in the affluent suburb.

Nine Remuera schools have adopted Scotland as their "second team", and schoolchildren will dress up as part of the festival.

"All the local schools are keenly supporting Scotland - especially since many, like St Kentigern School, have Scottish heritage," said the manager of the Remuera Business Association, Laura Carr.

"I think all of Remuera will be here - and everyone is behind Scotland."

Telecom chief executive Paul Reynolds, one of New Zealand's best-known Scotsmen, will be at Eden Park supporting his countrymen.

A company spokesman said "the Scottish flame within him burns brightly".

"He will be there as a proud Scotsman," the spokesman said.

But Mr Reynolds would not be arriving in a kilt.

Scotland defence coach Graham Steadman said this week the team had been enjoying tremendous support in New Zealand.

"I dare say at the weekend the Scottish support is going to be more vocal than the English support," he said.

"That's massive. It gives everybody a lift ... we're going to try to energise the crowd by our performance."