New Zealand's interest in rugby has reached its lowest ebb in more than 15 years, according to a report released today.
The report, conducted by UMR and entitled "The All Blacks - Looking towards the World Cup", surveyed 750 people and looked at issues such as World Cup strategies, supportfor coach Graham Henry and the make-up of the All Blacks squad.
Results showed that 60 per cent of respondents were very or fairly interested in rugby, the lowest level recorded since UMR began tracking in 1993.
It is a 12 per cent drop on last year and is well below the peak of 79 per cent reached during the 2003 World Cup.
The report puts the decline down to poor All Black performances this year, too much rugby and the duller, more attritional brand of rugby served up to fans in recent years.
In other results, the report found that just 53 per cent of respondents want the All Blacks to win as many games as possible while a surprisingly high 41 per cent believe the All Blacks should build towards the World Cup - even if it means losing a few games.
This should be good news to Henry, currently in his worst season as All Blacks coach with three losses from six tests so far.
Henry received strong support in the survey with 64 per cent agreeing with his reappointment through to the 2011 World Cup compared to 28 per cent opposed.
However, with the survey undertaken over the weekend of the first test against the Wallabies that support is likely to have been tempered by the disappointing double defeat to South Africa.
On the All Blacks team, the survey tested rugby fans' views on players who will turn 30 prior to the World Cup final and found most are confident the current leading players will still be around.
Captain Richie McCaw topped the voting with 82 per cent, followed by Mils Muliaina (79 per cent) and Rodney So'oialo (69 per cent). Rugby fans are least convinced about the longevity of Jimmy Cowan and Brad Thorn although 50 per cent still expect them to be in the team.
