- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
After month of intense speculation and build-up the 2011 Rugby World Cup is finally upon us, with all eyes focused on Eden Park. Join the call with us at 6.30pm AEST for Rugby World Cup live scores between the All Blacks and Tonga and leave your comments as the game unfolds.
The tournament gets underway tonight with the All Blacks and Tonga ready to stand at 20 paces and throw down the best haka they’ve got before 80 minutes of hard, uncompromising rugby.
Graham Henry has named a strong starting XV that will match up well with Tonga’s mammoth men and with no doubt as to the physical nature of their side, Henry has chosen to employ an approach to combat that.
The highlights are the inclusions of Victor Vito, Richard Kahui and Sonny Bill Williams in the run on side, with Isaia Toeava also getting the nod over Cory Jane in a like-for-like selection.
It is the first instalment of a selection process that will provide a curious sub-plot to the All Blacks’ quest for glory which will unfold over the coming weeks.
Tonga have named an enormous front three in Tonga’uiha, Lutui and Filise with a clear intention of unsettling the All Blacks’ pack from the front.
If there is any remote possibility of the Tongans providing the upset of the tournament tonight, it will be via gaining the upper hand in the forwards.
They will sweat on the fitness of captain Finau Maka, who will face a last-minute fitness test to determine whether he will take his starting position at openside flanker.
As it will throughout the tournament, the weight of expectation will fall heavily on the shoulders of the All Blacks tonight and anything less than a demolition will be considered a disappointment.
But if recent history is anything to go by, the All Blacks won’t have it all their own way.
In 2003 Australia laboured to a 24-8 win over Argentina, while in 2007 the hosts France were stunned by the Argentines 17-12.
Any repeat of 2007 is extremely unlikely tonight, and most bookmakers agree, with many refusing to take bets on the head-to-head outcome, while others are offering more than $50.00 odds on a Tonga win.
It has all the hallmarks of a bruising, confrontational encounter and if the Tongans can shake up the All Blacks, we could be in for a close one.
Can the All Blacks stamp their authority on this tournament from the outset? Or can Tonga give us one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history?
Join us from 6.30pm for All Blacks as we celebrate the opening match of what will be a wonderful festival of rugby. This is an interactive blog, so get involved and leave your thoughts below as all of the the action unfolds.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.