By Anita De Muth and Hugh Petersen

FEW people think soccer a real threat to rugby as our national game, despite the recent success of the All Whites.

It will be big for a while, but the trend is unlikely to last, say those surveyed in a NewsWire street poll.

There’s no way football has taken over, says Victoria University student Caleb Te Weehi (left).

“Everyone watches soccer round world cup time, but as soon as it’s over everyone will just go back to watching rugby – because that is what we are actually good at.”

American Peter Somers (above right), an Oriental Bay retiree, says it is absurd to even suggest that soccer could come anywhere near taking over rugby.

“No, rugby is the national sport. It’s a more rugged game and much more physical. This is how I see kiwis, a rugged tough bunch.”

Retired Kaitaia man Bob Campbell (left): “Soccer had the same boom last time. NZ was in a state of elation, as no one expects us to go anywhere at world cups and we didn’t.

“The same thing is happening this time and will just produce the same result. People will like soccer for a while, then go back to our national sport. RUGBY!”

English retiree Peter Chaplin (above right) says migration will affect the popularity of soccer.

“As more young people migrate to NZ, and other kids continue to play, the quality of football will increase and in the next 10 to 15 years NZ football will be something to be reckoned with.”

His wife, Denise (left), says she has not been too interested in either sport, although she did have a dig about the English winning the 2003 rugby world cup: “Soccer will get much bigger in the next few years.”

With young kids watching the  cup, they will be the next generation wanting to get on the field for upcoming  tournaments, she says.

Marg Campbell (right), Kaitaia, does not think much of either sports.

“I don’t mind either way. It’s all good for NZ whatever sport is going well.”

English immigrant Jack Auburn (left) has not been in the country long, but has already noticed a big difference in the attitudes of Kiwis towards soccer.

“I wouldn’t be able to say whether soccer has taken over rugby, but coming from England it does seem to be very popular for such a small country.”

Lower Hutt student Sam (above right): “No, all sports are popular in NZ. Different people like different sports and I think it’s good that way. It’s good that all our sports here are interesting to different people.”

Johnsonville diver Steven (left) nearly swallowed his snorkel when asked if soccer was the new rugby in NZ: “No, it’ll be good for a couple of years, then people will see the light and get back to reality.”

Campbell (above right), Gisborne: “At the moment, yeah, soccer is a lot bigger and has probably taken over rugby, but it won’t be like this next year because everyone will get back into rugby for the 2011 world cup.”

Jonathan (left), Lower Hutt, feels that soccer has indeed taken the place of rugby. But though a rugby player himself, he is heartened by the shining people around the country have taken to football.

“Yeah, soccer is getting pretty big, and I have nothing against it, I watch soccer with my son, who also plays soccer himself.”