Kieran Read and Sonny Bill Williams led from the front for the All Blacks in their win over Argentina.

"We take it for what it is: a mark of respect against a great player. If you're no good, nobody cares. You don't get booed unless you're any good."

He put his team under pressure and let them down - but the All Black captain hasn't suddenly turned to the dark side, writes Gregor Paul.

THE VENT: Tony Veitch and Michael Guerin fire up over THAT yellow card and reveal why they love-hate Sonny Bill Williams.

Chris Rattue rates the player performances in the All Blacks' 26-16 win over Argentina this morning.

Where were you when the All Black captain got a yellow card? That's the question dominating social media.

All Blacks skipper's mea culpa after getting yellow card.

The rest of the world also thinks the All Blacks had a close shave.

It took composure, resilience and all the qualities we have come to expect from this All Black team, writes Gregor Paul.

Watch a recap of the live chat with Herald rugby expert Wynne Gray following the All Blacks win over Argentina this morning.

Argentinian rugby fan Jose Gerardo Caballero wasn't counting on getting any sleep in a nerve-wracking countdown to this morning's Rugby World Cup clash between the Pumas and the All....

If the ABs need a reality check during their bid for the RWC they need look no further than the latest Forbes list of the world's 50 most valuable sports franchises.

The opening game was extreme, but it's not that much of a surprise that the World Cup has ushered in nanny state rugby.

For a player who didn't get into rugby until he was 11, Codie Taylor's progress at the All Blacks has been comparatively supersonic.

Carter is ready for his first World Cup match since the personal disappointment of a ruptured adductor at the last one.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has switched up the usual media routine a day before the All Blacks begin their campaign.

Coming out of the locker room for his US Open tennis semifinal last week, Novak Djokovic was asked about the stunning loss the crowd had just witnessed, of fellow champion Serena Williams.

All Blacks are told to drink in moderation to avoid a repeat of the episode which threatened to derail their campaign four years ago.

Richie McThaw is touching down at an icecream van near you.

Steve Hansen says the last week feels like it has lasted four years as he awaits the All Blacks' World Cup opener.

The All Blacks have had a huge security fence erected around part of their training pitch after realising guests from their hotel could watch their every move.

Jaco Peyper refereed the World Cup opener with a special whistle first used in an All Blacks match 110 years ago.

The All Blacks have been beaten out by New Zealand's favourite chocolate company, with Whittaker's being named the country's most adored brand.

Former England lock Paul Ackford has given Richie McCaw's men in black his seal of approval lauding the All Blacks as "ruthless" and "confrontational".

Kerr-Barlow tells how backyard drills inspired him to become pass master.

Watch a replay of this morning's live blog of the rugby World Cup opening ceremony, followed by hosts England taking on Fiji.