Does all of this anti-NZ stuff from Irish Rugby fans have anything to do with O'Driscoll in 2005?

Reading many of the questions in answers here there's a definite anti-NZ sentiment from Irish rugby fans. We're used to this from the pompous Pommies (and we know them better than you do) and the abrasive Jocks. And we get it from the odd (untypically loser like) Wallabies, Springboks and Wales supporter. It's not something we haven't heard before and we give as little consideration as ever.

But it does strike me as sort of curiously odd. Outside of Rugby (where you're just emerging as a major player) we have bugger all to do with each other. And yet I'm getting told how we're poachers, arrogant (as both a team and an entire country) that we're not as great as we think we are (by people who sound like they don't actually know that much), that we're cheating scumbags and how we have too many sheep… or something. [shrugs shoulders]

Amongst the ones that made me laugh was one where someone said we're more arrogant than the English. I wonder if that someone was watching Rugby when Johnstone stood the England tem in the Irish spot and made the Irish president walk on the grass.
This same wannabe wind-up merchant also said that the Aussies arrogance is tongue and cheek… as though ours isn't. I mean LOL, wtf??? I can only guess her opinions on antipodeans is formed more from Rugby columns in British newspapers than actual personal experience. I don't mind the ockers at all, but of the SH supporters they're easily the thinnest skinned and easiest to wind up in banter. I mean LOL, nobody gets a head-swell over sports success like the good old Aussies!

Well anyway, although I don't really care what people might think, what I would like to know is whether you Irish have always held the nation of NZ in such low regard? Or is it just because of that dumping of O'Driscoll (which is misnamed a spear tackle) during the Lions tour of 2005?
Okay. Just a couple of question:

Has anyone actually, in front of their face ,had a personal experience with an NZ rugby fan or have they just HEARD we're so super arrogant? From newspapers and all that.

And wtf do you mean abut NZ proclaiming itself the best? fans just usually go on form and readily admit it if the Wallabies and 'Boks are looking like beating us. Unlike the English RU the NZRU's never ever proclaimed itself the best.
To Richie (again): to tell you the truth unlike English, Welsh, French or Jock Rugby fans I've hardly ever come across Irish people that into Rugby.
Don't take this the wrong way but you're not seen amongst the major rugby playing nations. Most of the Mickers I've come across weren't that into rugger and didn't know too much about it.
Okay IRISH AND PROUD:
When in the UK two years ago people all the time at my work (I sadly had to work with upper class ponces) and at the boozer would try and talk about Rugby with me. And would say things like "this year's the AB's year" and that Carter's the best ever. Ironically it was me who said that SA were looking strong with their coach and to never write off the Wallabies.
Same story whenever I was in Edinburgh. And the Welsh, well of course they love their rugby.

But Irish people I met through work, at the boozer/parties and in Ireland always had other things to talk about. The only exception was in Cork, except that was just some losers trying to pick a fight with me. Even in NZ and Aus Irish people I've associated with seemed more interested in music, current affairs or books.
And while you're looking pretty good at Rugby now, 10 years ago and before you were seen as pretty average and not likely to be more than competitive against even France and England. It's all recent
And another thing. We're not just blowing our arses when we say we're the best. We sincerely mean it. We're not a very nationalist nor patriotic country. When the Springboks or Wallabies are better we happily concede it… well maybe not the cantabs… but the rest of us will. We call a spade a spade. If England or France or Ireland ever do field a stronger XV that plays better rugby we WILL say it.
And not winning the RWC doesn't change a thing. It's just a knock-out tourney every 4 years and it doesn't meant that much. Does the best team ever win the FIFA world cup? or any other wold cup? it's not a league or a 5 test tour it's a knockout tourney. Its open to upsets. What matters is how the games played by the teams and the results reflect it.
The fact no team has better win/loss record indicates we've usually been the best. The Springbok and Wallaby records against us shows they're not far behind.
Call me arrogant, but it's like calling me arrogant for saying the sky's blue.
Hone: look at the Wallaby record against the AB's since 1990. Much more even.
Rugby's only recently become a major sport in Australia. It was a real minority sport before the 80's and we gave them thrashing after thrashing.
by Alex:
"Ask any rugby fan and they'll tell you it's all about the world cup – the biggest event any nation can win – fact!"
Fact only for the NH old bean! the SH has already got something(s) better.
And the SH's opinion is more valid…

i have nothing against nz!
i think the people are lovely and i think they have an awesome rugby team!
i even love some of their players like dan carter!
i think some people are annoyed by the way people from the SH say that rugby in the NH isn't good at all!
but personally i have no problem what so ever with nz!
the tackle on brian was aweful but its rugby and your going to have some players stepping out of line and injuring others!
that was done by 2 players not by the whole team or the nation so they shouldn't be hated for that!
it was a bad tackle that left brian injured very very badly but the only ones to blame for it are the two who did it 2 him!

EDIT:

eh well we irish are so into rugby!
we don't all play it but it has huge support in ireland!
you are right not many irish people play rugby but nearly ever one knows about it and the rules!
we have our own sports and we have huge numbers playing them instead of rugby!
we would rather play an irish game rather than some english or foreign game!
i think ireland are seen as up there with england and wales and france!
sure this year they showed that with the right manager they are well able to beat all of them!
why else would they be six nations champions grand slam champions and triple crown champions??
i just think you have something against the irish?
but thats my opinion

NICK C

eh nz haven't won the world cup in years and they still go around saying they are the best!
maybe some english welsh and irish supporters go on websites saying that ireland or wales are the best but just because 3 or 4 people are doing that doesn't mean anything!
the population is 4 million don't you think that your being a bit judgmental?

EDIT:

yes well maybe you are just talking to people you work with!
come to ireland and ask people about rugby then!
but as in every country you will have people who have absolutely no interest in sport in general!
or there are some counties that focus purely on hurling and gaelic football that they aren't interested in foreign (english) sports!
the same with soccer i don't follow the soccer games because they are too long and are boring compared to a hurling or gaelic football match where you would have loads of scores!
hurling is the fastest sport in the world!way more interesting!
anyway i still know the rules of soccer!and would watch the odd republic of ireland game!
so rugby does have a huge following in ireland and even if people don't watch the game they still know the results etc!
ireland is a hugely proud nation and thats why hurling and gaelic football have such a massive following!
in ireland we have 6500 clubs for hurling and gaelic footbal and only 150 rugby clubs!
this just puts it into perspective for you the difference in numbers playing rubgy and those playing irish sports!
so it is a great success if you think about it! the irish rugby team getting so far and winning the grand slam and munster winning the Heineken cup and 2 irish teams in the semi final this year playing each other!if you look at other rugby nations like south africa and new zealand they have huge numbers playing rugby so they have way more to pick from!

better than any rugby match i'm telling you!
you should see a match sometime!

look at what it means to the players and the fans and that match was only a semi final in the province!
but it was against there rivals who they couldn't beat for years!
it really means alot to you when your county wins!

and heres a gaelic football match

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n42aA-jYHpc