Rugby World Cup fans go for $1m

Close to 30,000 rugby fans - including ex-All Black Piri Weepu (left) had a go at picking the winning teams at the Rugby World Cup in the hope of pocketing $1 million. Photo / NZME.

New Zealand punters have shown their faith in the All Blacks with 89 per cent of the nearly 30,000 entrants in the TABs "One Punt in a Million" competition tipping the 2011 champions to defend their title.

However they won't put their money where their mouth is with just 43 percent of Rugby World Cup tournament bets placed with the TAB on the All Blacks to win the tournament.

The "One Punt in a Million" competition allows people to guess the winning team and the margin of all 48 matches. If anyone gets all the predictions right, they'll get a cool $1 million in return.

Just under almost 9 in 10 entrants have picked the All Blacks to win the final, with 59 percent tipping the victory by a margin on 12 and under. 30 percent are picking an All Blacks thrashing of more than 13 points in the final.

Just 3.9 percent of entrants have picked England to win the final by 12 and under, and 2.1 percent picking Australia to win the final by 12 points and under.

The most popular opponent for the All Blacks in the final is Australia (33 precent) just edging England (31 percent) and Ireland (23.6 percent.)

In the "Pool of Death", Australia and England are predicted to progress, with both sides holding an 80 percent majority to defeat Wales.

Piri Weepu has picked the All Blacks to win the tournament by a margin of 12 or under, while Hilary Barry and 1992 All Black Richard Turner have guessed our national team's victory will be by more than 13 points.

The Crowd Goes Wild co-host Andrew Mulligan said he had also picked the All Blacks, to win over Australia in the final. When asked who he'd picked for third and fourth place, he said: "It doesn't matter as long as the All Blacks win."

For those keen to take a punt, entries close at 11.59pm tomorrow.

Piri Weepu's picks

Semifinal 1
New Zealand over South Africa by 13 and over
Semifinal 2
Australia over Ireland by 12 and under
Bronze final
South Africa over Ireland by 12 and under
Final
All Blacks over Australia by 12 and under

Hilary Barry's picks

Semifinal 1

New Zealand over South Africa by 12 and under

Semifinal 2

Australia over Ireland by 12 and under

Bronze final

South Africa over Ireland by 12 and under

Final

All Blacks over Australia by 13 and over

Richard Turner's picks

Semifinal 1

New Zealand over South Africa by 13 and over

Semifinal 2

Ireland over England by 12 and under

Bronze final

South Africa over England by 12 and under

Final

All Blacks over Ireland by 13 and over

How it works

• Enter your picks for free at www.onepunt.co.nz

• Entry is limited to people aged 18 and over and there is a limit of one entry per person.

• A winning team and margin must be picked for each of the 48 matches.

• There are three margin options for every game: 0-12 , 13 and over, or a draw.