@ Michelle: rioting supporters? Any examples, or you just going by the stereotype? As for it being boring, did you watch All Blacks vs Italy? Stop the clock every time there's a collapsed scrum, the ball is out of play, or stuck at the bottom of a ruck. Seriously, just do it for 10 minutes the next time All Blacks play and see just how long the ball is "in play" for. And most of that is just kick and chase.

Congrats for qualifying from Germany. It is always nice to the new faces at the World Cup. I have read a bit through the discussion going on here. Rugby certainly seems to be the big thing right now in NZ, but what about the youth? Are there many kids playing football, more than rugby? In the US, traditionally a country where football isn't big, football is the most popular sport for the youth.

This team will only get together for a game before the next World Cup IF they can secure a friendly against China or Australia early next year. Pathetic. They should be playing at least twice a month - if they are to even score a single goal in the Cup Finals. Those in charge need to sort this out asap - if they are to capitalise on this. If they don't no crowing about the futre of Soccer in NZ will make a difference. You don't knock rugby off it's perch by not having ANY games locked in before June of next year.

i would still rather got to the cricket....

I'm a hard core rugby fan and don't much care for soccer. But, because I am first and foremost a New Zealander, I watched the game last night and screamed my support at the TV for the All Whites. I even tried to go to the game but tickets were rare as hen's teeth if not rarer. I would have done the same for any NZ team playing such a big game.

Because of this win Soccer definitely deserves the limelight in NZ today and lets hope that carries on for good rather then once every 27 years they get a week or two in the sun. But I guess that is up to the All Whites having home games and regularly winning them or putting in a good performance in the WC2010.

But the whole rugby V soccer thing is super-depressing. Lots of people here make good points for and against different aspects of both sports, but why? I thought a win like this would put all that to the side and bind our NZ team, of about 4 million, closer rather than divide us.

If it turns in to a battle of codes then many supporters of one code will only be alientated from the other, which is a shame given that we are all on the same side last time I checked.

Anyway, regardless of all that, good on you All Whites. I'm proud of you.

I find it an amazing coincidence that NZ has twice qualified for the Football World Cup precisely when people's enthusiasm for rugby is on the wane. The first time round there was the Springbok tour; this time we're in the post-professional doldrums where it is clear that a top-down management approach has taken all the passion out of rugby. Canterbury-Wellington was appalling - your average rugby fan from any part of the country would have been delighted to see Hawkes Bay or Southland in the final. It's an indictment on the NZRU when we would prefer not to see the All Blacks participating in the NPC. The Dropping of 4 (inevitably provincial) teams is the final straw. The difference this time is that rugby in this country may not bounce back - the fans may never stop supporting NZ, but the players and money could decamp overnight.

Congrats to the All Whites. Enjoyed watching the game but lets be honest now. We only qualified because the Socceroos weren't playing in Oceania.

marvellous result given the one off occasion. Will be intretsted if this is transfered to te A League & Pheneox when thay are losing every 2nd week.

Were not the Worriers the falvour of the month last year?

A media fashion that will only become a reality when NZ constantly beat the top 20. With Nz's profule we are not going to play the top 20, certainly not in NZ.

Must be some worry at NZRFU HQ now-rubbish product that they try and sell us-now we have something to really be proud of a true World cup!!!!!!!, not some pretend World Cup like another sport we play!!

I'm a neutral, and I have to be honest, soccer is sooooo booring, full of drama queens that fall over all the time and rioting supporters.

There's far more entertainment in Rugby, and if it weren't for the All Blacks, NZ wouldn't be known for anything in the sporting circles.

Anyway, suprisingly I watched the whole game lastnight and I must say it was a proud night to be a kiwi.

good luck