Bars prove the real winners

Manu Samoa supporter Cora Love was one of many at the Ruck n' Maul yesterday watching the New Zealand and Samoa test match. Photo / Stephen Parker

The All Blacks may have beaten Manu Samoa, but Rotorua's pubs and bars were the real winners.

It was standing room only at Ruck 'n Maul on Amohia St yesterday as rugby fans watched the first test between the two countries played on Samoan soil. In a a tight battle, the All Blacks won 25-16.

Among the crowd was Cora Love who made it clear who she was cheering for, dressed in a blue lei and waving the Samoan national flag.

"My daughter is half Samoan so I'm supporting them because I want her to know her heritage too," Miss Love said.

"I think this is a big game for Samoa and they're such a great team. I've been getting some crap from my friends next to me who are supporting New Zealand but, even if they don't win, I'll always support them."

Pig & Whistle Historic Pub had about 70 people watching the afternoon match on its six large screens.

"It's been great. It started to build from lunch time," owner Gregg Brown said. "We don't really have [test matches] during the day, it's more early evening but it's a great school holiday thing to do, it's a rainy horrible day and so they come in, be warm and watch the rugby."

Hennessy's Irish Bar was also full with a strong contingent of Samoan supporters.

"We had heaps of Samoans here, at least 20 [overall] it was a great atmosphere," bar manager Hillary Hennessy said.

"We were really busy, people were dropping in from work and it ended up being standing room only ... We're really looking forward to the Rugby World Cup."