Irish punters not being patriotic ahead of Rugby World Cup quarter-final v New Zealand

One of the biggest matches in Irish sporting history takes place tomorrow night when Andy Farrell's men take to the Parisien night to face New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

History will be made if Ireland are victorious and a maiden World Cup semi-final will await. Bookmakers up and down the country have been busy with vast numbers of bets placed on the match and the various potential outcomes.

But it seems Irish fans are actually piling the cash on a New Zealand victory with 66% percent of fans opting to back the All-Blacks. Not the most patriotic thing to do before one of the biggest sporting events of recent times. But there's one good reason.

Ireland actually go into the clash as favourites with Paddy Power giving them odds of 4/6 and New Zealand 11/8.

This means if the boys in green triumph then it could cost bookies some €2 million!

This weekend’s match marks just the sixth occasion in the past quarter of a century, or roughly 350 matches, where New Zealand have not been favourites, with the previous five times occurring when they’ve been away against South Africa.

They lost on four of those occasions, only managing to buck the odds most in Johannesburg back in August of last year when the beat South Africa 35-23.

Paddy Power spokesperson Rachael Kane said, "This match marks the first time the All Blacks have ever been underdogs against Ireland and we’re really hoping making Ireland favourite to win isn’t tempting fate.

“Hopefully we will get the opportunity to pay those shrewd punters who spotted the promise of Andy Farrell’s men as far back as two years ago to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In the meantime, they’ve got the small matter of breaking their quarter final curse, so if anyone’s looking for me, I’ll be in Knock Shrine lighting every candle in sight between now and Saturday.”