Editorial: Rotorua, sunshine and rugby - great fun

What a great afternoon's rugby.

Rotorua's International Stadium was looking sharp for its first Rugby World Cup match in 24 years - Fiji v Namibia in a Pool D match this afternoon.

More than 10,000 spectators flocked to the park, with the terraces and grandstand looking mostly full and the embankment filling up in the second half as fans sought out the sun when shadows started getting longer.

There was plenty of action to see, with more than 70 points scored including a number of drop kicks from the Namibians and some great running rugby tries from both sides.

Besides a bit of poor form from those booing the Namibian kicker, there was a real positive, festival atmosphere amongst the crowd.

I found myself in the strange position of supporting both teams, and standing, clapping and cheering when either side scored.

Either way I guess I was going to be backing a winner. In the end that winner was Fiji who scored 49 points to Namibia's 25.

It was no walkover though, the Namibians put up a good fight, led at one stage in the first half and had two tries denied by the TMO.

They should be buoyed by today's effort ahead of Wednesday's Rotorua match against Samoa.

And Rotorua should pat itself on the back for getting into the spirit of the Cup. All over the city today flags waved from cars in support of various teams, mainly the ABs of course.

And the great atmosphere of this afternoon's match carried on that of events at the Village Green earlier today, where live music, sideshows, face-painting, a mass rugby ball drop and more provided fun and entertainment for the crowds.

This is just day 2 of a 40-day Rugby World Cup - we're just getting started but it looks like it's going to be a whole lot of fun for some time to come.