The Rugby World up hosts New Zealand started their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign with a 41-10 victory over Tonga on Friday. The All Blacks who lead 29-3 at half-time, scored six tries to one.
The opening day of the 2011 Rugby World Cup started with two war cries. The Sipi Tau of Tonga, calling for Power from Within. And the All Blacks responding with their Ka Mate.
After flyhalf Dan Carter scored the first points of the tournament via a penalty, the most potent backline in world rugby started running amok. Admittedly, Tonga’s defense was almost non-existent in the first half.
The All Blacks used the width of the field and played an expansive game. Following a stolen ball from a ruck in the middle of the park, fullback Israel Dagg scored his second try of the match. Although Richard Kahui assisted Jerome Kaino in scoring the All Blacks’ fifth try, Tonga put up a brave fight in the second half.
Taumalolo was pushed over for his teams first five pointer of the tournament. But it was the hosts who would have the last laugh and fittingly it was the wise old head of center Ma’a Nonu who scored the final try of the match for a comfortable 41 points to 10 win.
One billion television viewers were welcomed by New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key
Fireworks, song and dance were the main ingredients of the opening ceremony of the 2011 rugby World Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. Rich in culture, the island country in the south western Pacific Ocean stuck to its roots to treat the world to an opening spectacular. Scores of fan gathered at Auckland’s Eden Park to witness the extravaganza.
As the lights went out, the countdown to the start of the seven week tournament began. Decades of history summed up in an hour under the theme: ‘The journey’. And what would New Zealand’s journey be without the famous haka – performed by Maori Warriors. With more than 1 000 volunteer dancers and 400 singers of 19 nationalities, the hosts proceeded to tell their story.
Under the tournaments anthem ‘World in Union’ the 60 000 fans at Eden Park and a global audience of more than one billion television viewers were welcomed by New Zealand’s Prime Minister John Key.All Black great and global rugby superstar Jonah Lomu was a surprise guest at the ceremony. Lomu who played 63 tests, scoring 37 tries for the All Blacks symbolised the country’s rugby tale. The ceremony closed with the sub-theme ‘The Prize’. The Webb Ellis Cup is the reason why the 20 teams are in New Zealand.
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