KEY POINTS:
I was impressed with the All Blacks' first performance. They hit the ground running in their 76-14 win over the Italians who were very tentative, especially for a side that beat Wales and Scotland in the Six Nations.
Taking nothing away from the All Blacks performance, because their
first 20 minutes was outstanding, but there's not too much you can take out of a game like that because Italy seemed to have already consigned itself to a loss and played accordingly.
To me the biggest news so far was Argentina's 17-12 win over the French.
People might say it was an upset, but it wasn't a surprise as far the Argentineans are concerned.
I was involved with them in the 1999 World Cup and came to know them a bit, and they've never feared France as much as some of the other nations.
Up until 1996 they hadn't allowed people playing overseas to represent the national side, but since the rule changed a lot of Argentina's side have been playing in French club rugby and have improved as a result.
I thought their defence was outstanding while the game plan of the French was pretty dismal.
It'll be a big shock to the locals as their side had a couple of warm-up matches against England and Wales and came through with reasonable wins.
But there's always the thought in the back of your mind that you know what French teams can do.
The best example was in 1999 when they cleaned out the All Blacks at Twickenham.
Along with other unconvincing results from Six Nations teams so far, it makes you wonder about the fact that they have played a number of pre-Cup warm-up matches.
Just look at Ireland, who struggled against Namibia - essentially an old state side of South Africa - and was very lucky to get away with a 32-17 win.
You can't afford to take anyone lightly as Namibia showed. I thought one of the outstanding features of its play was fitness - the players never stopped running right up to the final whistle.
The Irish were plain shocking, as was England who had a real struggle in beating the USA 28-10.
I've always thought there could be a sleeping giant in the United States if it could ever get things sorted and build up a good core of committed players. Athletes from that country have got the size and speed, it's just about getting the skills right to become a real force in the future.
Even at this early stage, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa look to be the most likely teams along with Argentina.
Then again, even poorer sides now and then will have a game where everything goes right. We've already seen what you might call an upset in the first match, although it becomes less of a shock as Argentina continues to get better.
Former All Black player and coach Alex 'Grizz' Wylie is writing columns for nzherald.co.nz during the Rugby World Cup
