Rugby World Cup: It's Scots wha hae for a fan putting his hopes on the line

Craig Johnstone is supporting Scotland during the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Before Craig Johnstone and his wife had even confirmed their move to New Zealand four-and-a-half years ago, the Scottish rugby nut made a bold move - he went ahead and bought tickets to all of Scotland's 2011 Rugby World Cup pool games hoping it would convince his accountant and equally rugby-mad wife Ann-Marie to jump on the plane.

"Being an accountant, I figured that doing that would help sway Ann-Marie's decision to move as she wouldn't have wanted to then see the money on the tickets wasted," The 44-year-old Glaswegian said.

The couple, who live in the Auckland suburb of Mission Bay, are united in their excitement for the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Mr Johnstone is a proud and dedicated Scotland fan, and is optimistic about the side's chances.

"I'm pretty confident we'll get through to the quarters - clearly everyone's saying that Samoa is going to be the key game on the basis that they think we'll get beat by South Africa. But we've turned South Africa over before. We could do it."

He said for the first time in a long time, Scottish fans are showing excitement and confidence in their side. "They're actually starting to put together quite a good, solid young team."

It's team that has a couple of what Scots are calling "kilted Kiwis", as well as South African expats and young Scottish players providing a good amount of depth.

Mr Johnstone, who works in procurement for Fonterra, played a bit of rugby at school but sees himself as more of a full-time fan.

Despite having been to quite a few All Blacks games while living here, he will always only have one true team, he said.

"I'd watch anyone, but if they're playing Scotland there's only one team I support."

World Cup super fans

Today: Scotland
• Scotland will play Japan, USA, South Africa and Samoa in the pool round of the Rugby World Cup.
• Scotland are currently ranked 10th in the world.
• The Scottish rugby team have a thistle (Scottish national flower) as their symbol.
• "Flower of Scotland" is the rugby anthem of the Scottish side.
• Scotland failed to make the quarter-finals of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand after defeats to Argentina and England.
• The home of Scottish rugby is Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh.
• Its first ever international match was against England in Edinburgh in 1871.

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