Make the most of the fleeting bonhomie during World Cup

Tonga's captain, Finau Maka, could not have put it better when he said that he thought they were landing in Nuku'alofa, such was the fervour of their arrival. Photo / Brett Phibbs

This is where the bonhomie starts coming down and the black polyurethane goes up.

It's business time.

Goodwill has flooded into arrivals halls around the country. The World Cup stragglers touched down last night before tomorrow's opening ceremony.

That has spread to the communities where they are being hosted and in some places they're not being hosted.

Birkenhead, which bears little resemblance to downtown Buenos Aires, is awash in Argentina flags.

Out on the Franklin County steppe, Waiuku has gone mad for Russia.

The warmth has been reciprocated.

The Namibians have broken bread and a braai with their hosts in Gisborne; Argentina have sung songs to sick children in Dunedin; England made a pilgrimage to Christchurch.

Tonga's captain, Finau Maka, could not have put it better when he said that he thought they were landing in Nuku'alofa, such was the fervour of their arrival.

"This is awesome. It's so unlike anything back home. It's great to experience the local culture like this," said Wales centre Jamie Roberts.

Of course it's not enough for some. Former England lock-turned-scribe Paul Ackford was the latest to don pith helmet and declare New Zealand an unsuitable host because the poor IRB cannot bleed enough money out of the "too-small" stadiums.

There are certainly shortcomings with New Zealand's stadiums, but being too small is not one of them.

Which is a tangent that is diverting somewhat from the overall theme of positivity and a world in union.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

For the teams that have designs on progressing well into October, they would have been well advised to make the most of the first few days, when interaction with the locals is encouraged and a trip to the blackjack tables - as some England players reportedly indulged in - is tolerated.

Soon the big teams in particular will be enveloped by security, their plans hatched behind walls.

Rugby is a game of jealously guarded secrets, with backline moves practised under cover and lineout calls taking on Enigma-like status.

One coach's paranoia is another's intellectual property.

So get out and mingle with the players while you can.

The chances are it won't last.