And the real winners are...
The All Blacks got the seventh edition of the World Cup tournament off to a winning start on Friday, defeating Tonga 41-10 in front of a capacity 60,000 crowd at Eden Park.
However, there should be as many accolades going to the Tongans as there are for the victorious Kiwis.
It was not an entirely convincing opener from the New Zealanders, despite the lop-sided scoreline – as coach Graham Henry said: “It was just a five-out-of-10.”
The outstanding moment of the day – apart from a very impressive opening ceremony (more of that later) – had to be Tongan replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo’s 73rd-minute try.
New Zealand, who had led 29-0 and 34-3 going into the final quarter, were subjected to almost 10 minutes of unrelenting Tongan pressure. After a few unsuccessful raids, the Tongans attacked the Kiwi scrum (a supposed All Black strength) and won not one, but two penalties and then a free kick to boot. Then, after some impressive pick-‘n-driving Taumalolo went over for the most popular score of the day.
The match was preceded by a glittering 30-minute opening ceremony which celebrating the country’s Maori heritage and unrivalled rugby pedigree.
Eden Park, refurbished and enlarged for the occasion, was packed as the opening ceremony started.
The highlight was, without doubt, the impressive haka, while it was spectacular by comparison with the low-budget opener featuring marching girls which was hastily put together for the first World Cup hosted by New Zealand in 1987.
The showpiece event featured a stylised sequence in which a young boy in a Canterbury rugby jersey smashed through crowds of would-be tacklers who fell at his feet like skittles. While rather cheesy, the significance of using a jumper from the region hit by a series of devastating earthquakes in the past year should not be overlooked. It did not detract from the overall success or entertainment.
Also, Ria Hall ‘s rendition of the World in Union – the official theme song for the World Cup – was not on par with some of her predecessors. Again, having added a Kiwi touch to it was not a bad idea. However, she simply did not match up to the all powerful rendition delivered by Ladysmith Black Mambazo and PJ Powers in South Africa in 1995.
Earlier huge crowds brought central Auckland to a standstill as New Zealand’s largest city took to the streets to celebrate the opening match of the World Cup.
“I’ve lived here all my life, I’ve never seen it like this,” Jamie Bonner said as raucous but good natured crowds streamed along the city’s main thoroughfare Queen Street.
“It’s crazy, I love it.
“This is our time,” he screamed, his arms aloft.
Fans sporting face paint and draped in flags spilled out onto footpaths at bars around the city centre ahead of the tournament’s opening game, pitting hometown favourites New Zealand against Tonga.
While New Zealand supporters dominated the impromptu street party, Tongan flags were also prominent in the city, which has a large Pacific islander population.
Some, like Elizabeth Sandford, carried the flags of both nations, reflecting the split loyalties of some.
“If you’re supporting two teams, you’re never going to be on the losing side,” she joked.
Digby the dancer is a hit
Wallaby wing Digby Ioane has some new dance moves planned for his trademark try celebrations at his first World Cup.
Ioane has a catalogue of dance routines on You Tube and he has earned a reputation for his celebrations after scoring tries.
“I’ve got a couple new dances up my sleeve, I’ve just got to hope to get a try,” Ioane said.
One of the most watched ‘dances’ came in this year’s Super 15 playing for the Queensland Reds against South Africa’s Northern Bulls.
After scorching down the right wing before kicking the ball on, collecting it and scoring a brilliant try he launched into the ‘caterpillar’.
Balancing on both hands, Ioane swivelled round on the ground, much to the roar of the crowd.
Digby doing the caterpillar:
Springboks content to dodge media
South Africa may be defending champions but they are receiving less media attention than normal, something captain John Smit says works well for him.
“We’re delighted to have a few cameras shying away from us,” said Smit, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007.
It is natural, Smit said, that all eyes be pinned on the All Blacks.
“It’s par for the course for a team that has played some of the best rugby and is hosting the tournament.”
Google catches rugby fever
Google got into the spirit of the World Cup with a redesigned home page as the tournament kicked off in New Zealand.
The search engine’s usual logo was superimposed on a picture of a rugby match with players in black – the colour of the hosts’ famous shirts – on the attack.
The new design appeared on Friday, as the All Blacks prepared to kick off the seven-week tournament in the opening match against Tonga, and with thousands of excited fans gathering around the country.
Finally, a promotional clip that advertises the tournament…
World Cup 2011 – You Gotta Be There:
