Game 1 - All Blacks v Tonga - Eden Park - 9 September 2011

After 24 years of waiting, the Rugby World Cup finally returns to Eden Park.
A lot has changed since the impish David Kirk hoisted the William Webb Ellis trophy in our inaugural success. Prior to the game most New Zealanders fears were focussed on the opening ceremony.

Those who worried that we might produce a ceremony somewhat hokey and underwhelming, would have been delightfully surprised. The ceremony was carefully thought out and superbly executed. It went off without a hitch and the vision for this 40 minute ceremony was truly World Class.

The limelight was split between some very clever 3D animated projection, outstanding Kapa Haka, a delightful aryan winger of schoolboy dreams sporting a #11 Canterbury jersey and the biggest most unforgettable #11 of all time. Even the turgid Rugby Anthem "World in Union" had a fresh pacific spin to it.

The only debatable aspect of the show which bounced between Eden Park, the Viaduct Basin, The Auckland Museum and the skies all around the harbour was the dancing forklifts. I thought they were fairly incongruous, Megan thought they were delightfully quirky. Twitter was abuzz with opinion backing each of us. I guess one day historians will know the truth!

When the teams took the field, just like the opening festivities, events stayed right on script. The Tongan team stole an advantage over the All Blacks with an emotionally charged anthem. With huge 100kg+ warriors visibly weeping with pride and joy, it brought a tear to my eye. Then the Haka face-off between the Tongan and New Zealand teams was one of the finest ever seen.

Following kick off the opening script was improved upon for 40 minutes. The All Blacks played glorious running rugby. The Tongans fronted up in the forwards but were bombarded by the All Black backline. Three AB backs were exceptional; SBW, Richard Kahui and Israel Dagg - the rest were merely brilliant.

Sonny Bill Williams proved that his skills could play a meaningful part in an All Black World Cup triumph. People have often joked that he is only about the offload, but the first 40 minutes were a showcase for his skill in nearly every aspect of the game including the offload. He played a crucial role in 3 of the All Blacks first half tries, and was a monster in defence.

The forward who stood apart from an excellent All Black pack was Jerome Kaino, who tackled like a demon, secured plentiful turnovers and carried the ball with aggression and menace. By the time the referee whistled for half time the score was 29-3 and the Tongans were staring at a rout.

The All Blacks second half mirrored the issues Auckland had with staging this event in regards to transport nightmares and overcrowding downtown. Having got away to the best possible start the New Zealand team failed to complete the faultless game. The Tongans fronted up and took on the All Blacks in every department. The Tongan backs made numerous try saving tackles in the first ten minutes of the half and robbed the ABs of their belief.

I think there were two turning points in the match. The first was at 50 mins when SBW had a clear overlap and an opportunity to either set up a try, or break through 3 tacklers to score himself. When he opted for the later, he showcased the one glaring inadequacy of his game in comparison to Ma'a Nonu. He doesn't break the advantage line all that often, and you don't see him scoring many tries himself.

Following this botched 5 pointer, "special player" Isaia Toeava was vey unlucky to be denied a try by a great tackle and the TMO. The ABs had lost their mojo. Then the second turning point took place when Alisonia Tuamalolo took the field after 52 minutes.

In 28 minutes he proved that a single man can do superhuman things on a Rugby paddock. He was like a dervish, taking the vaunted All Blacks on upfront, and wresting the conch from their grasp. Tonga were dominant for a majority of the time following his substitution, and he will no doubt become some sort of Demi God in Tonga from here on - he deserves it, his try a fitting reward for an inspirational performance. In many ways his efforts mirroring the kid from the opening ceremony, he really played that well (as if in a dream) and his influence spread like a fever through his team.

The best All Black over the 80 minutes was clearly Richard Kahui who will have confounded armchair selectors by playing the game of his life, out of position. New Zealand's previous attempts to field utility players in lieu of specialists has failed spectacularly in every other Rugby World Cup. Kahui's performance should be rewarded with further selection, but at what risk when we play a top flight team?

The final score of 41-10 was a fair reflection of Tonga's fightback. And like Auckland the All Blacks will know they have to do a lot better for the remainder of the tournament if 2011 is going to be remembered for the right reasons.

Final Score 41-10

1 game 7 tries

Tweet of the match- "Taumalolo and behold. A try for Tonga!" @dbridges_nz