By Jessica Rowe
Irish rugby supporters are annoyed they've been blamed for the drunkenness, chaos and disruption at Saturday night's Test match.
While police today admitted there were problems with both sets of supporters, a senior sergeant at the game said around 90 percent of the supporters he dealt with were Irish.
“I think it is a bit unfair to paint everyone with one brush, a bit narrow-minded,” says Irish supporter Dave Cronin.
“We're known for our hard work and our drinking maybe a wee bit as well,” says Paddy McGowan. “But that is our culture and the Kiwi culture is like that as well. So you just have to accept that.
“It's not 100 percent wrong, but mayhem might be the wrong word for it. Maybe the cops aren't used to the way we party and get around.”
Irish supporters around the country were outraged by a senior sergeant's comments about Irish behaviour on Saturday night.
He said there must be big booze problems in Ireland because 90 percent of the 51 fans arrested, ejected or not allowed in were Irish.
Publican Rowan Moloney, also from the Emerald Isle says New Zealanders are just as bad as the Irish, and the only difference is the Irish can hold their alcohol.
“The Irish don't try to put it away as fast, and for that reason they don't seem to stay as merry in their tone as a lot of the Kiwi lads do.”
Professor Doug Sellman says New Zealand should look at its own drinking culture before criticising others.
“I think it is an empty debate because it is pretty clear that both the Irish and the Kiwis drink a lot,” says the professor and director of the National Addiction Centre. “We have a heavy drinking culture in both countries.”
Irish supporters say they can't wait until they beat the All Blacks this weekend, allowing Kiwis to see some serious Irish celebrating.
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