Top 10 comments, images from the opening weekend

1. Opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup

The $9 million ceremony had it all - thunderous haka, a tribute to Canterbury, choral singing, 3 tonnes of fireworks plus colourful New Zealand motifs, lighting and a guest appearance from our very own World Cup hero Jonah Lomu.

2. All Blacks win opening match

After the spectacular opening showcase, the All Blacks started their road to glory (I hope) with a first up clash against the might of Tonga. The AB's sizzled in the firsthalf and fizzled in the second with a nervy display - it was anti-climatic ending after a stunning opening.

3. Opening night fireworks light up Auckland

If you couldn't be inside the stadium to watch the opening ceremony, the next best place to be was in Auckland City alongside 200,000 party-goers to watch the fireworks display launched from buildings, barges and the iconic Sky Tower.

5. WAGs

This year's tournament delivers a diverse contingent of glamorous ladies with pop stars, royals and models are among wives and girlfriends. What ever happened to the good ol' girl next door?

6. Fitzy salutes the All Blacks

All Blacks legend and former captain Sean Fitzpatrick gives props to Jerome Kaino for his 'outstanding' effort and calls for the inclusion of Sonny Bill Williams, Richard Kahui and Israel Dagg in Graham Henry's matchday 22.

7. SBW loses his kit...and plays well

All Blacks doctor Deborah Robinson was the envy of many women on the weekend helping the hulking second-five eighth change his shirt after his right sleeve was ripped off. Thousands of women both in the stadium and around the country cheered when the pin-up boy briefly went topless.

8. Richard Loe says the All Blacks tight-five needs work

After the All Blacks were embarrassed by the Tonga's frontrow at setpiece on opening night, the former All Blacks hardman has an old school method of getting things right. Before a World Cup clash with Scotland in 1987 coach Grizz Wylie had the AB's pack down 100 times.

9. All Black mothers miss match

Auckland's transport system literally came to a standstill before the rugby had got underway and the traffic halt affected two All Blacks' mothers with Kieran Read and John Afoa's mother missing large periods of the match. A trip on the team bus next time would ensure they make the most of their VIP tickets.

10 . #*@k not again!

Michael Burgess reports on NZ's form when it comes to home heartbreak - we probably shouldn't even mention it. But what happens if the All Blacks fall short in this Rugby World Cup as well? Here's a top ten list of another kind...


- HERALD ONLINE