The 2015 Rugby World Cup has roared into life with an upset for the ages. Here's all that occurred in the early hours this morning.
WHAT'S HAPPENED
For a few scary moments it looked like Japan's monumental toppling of South Africa might be challenged for the upset of the tournament. The All Blacks trailed 13-12 at halftime in the face of an inspired Argentina before recovering with a much improved second half. Even worse, Richie McCaw was yellow carded for (gasp!) a trip on a Pumas player and was then joined in the sin bin by Conrad Smith, temporarily leaving NZ down to 13 men. It was the subs off the bench and coaching smarts that saved blushes in the All Black camp in their eventual 26-16 victory. Steve Hansen injected Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Sam Cane and Charlie Faumauina into the game early in the second spell and the quartet were inspiring in lifting the All Black tempo. In other matches played overnight, Wales opened their account with a 54-9 win over Uruguay but suffered more injury problems and Samoa toppled the United States 25-16.
Match report: All Blacks' narrow escape
Match report: Wales underwhelming in win over Uruguay
Match report: Samoa beat USA in bruising encounter
