22 Jul 2008

One in three more positive, but 46 percent unmoved

12:39 pm on 22 July 2008

One in three New Zealanders say they're feeling more positive towards the All Blacks.

A Research New Zealand poll found 31 percent of Kiwis felt more favourably about the team now that the Test season has kicked off - although 46 percent said they felt the same as they did before this year's international series.

Only 5 percent were feeling less positive.

Research NZ director Emanuel Kalafatelis said the poll demonstrated that the tide may be turning back in favour of the All Blacks, following 2007's disappointing early exit from the Rugby World Cup.

Locals from larger urban cities with a population of 40,000 or over were more likely to feel more positively about the All Blacks at 37 percent, compared to 26 percent of those living in other areas.