Rugby World Cup minnows serve notice

Absolutely riveting! There is no other way to describe the first round of Rugby World Cup action that raised the curtain on the sport’s pinnacle tournament.

It made for compelling viewing in manageable 80-minute doses, and not only for what rugby’s juggernauts brought to the table.

But also for the desire, courage and technical aptitude demonstrated by rugby’s so-called minnows.

If the All Blacks opener was measured by Tonga’s second-half performance, at 12-7, the IRB’s top dog barely contained the tiny 12th ranked contenders from the Pacific.

The Tongans, understandably overwhelmed by the grand occasion, spent the first-half scrambling to survive a relentless Black tsunami in the form of Sonny Bill Williams, Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui. It took all of 40-minutes to find their feet.

But when they did, captain Finau Maka and his 929kg forward pack not only subdued their counterparts, but smashed their way over Richie McCaw’s try-line.

Statistically, Tonga’s titans secured eight line-outs over the All Blacks seven, and 76 ruck-and-mauls over the All Blacks 66.

Plenty to be proud of, with the final score-line of 41-10 clearly misrepresented Tonga’s mighty contribution; their best on the RWC stage to date.

John Kirwan’s Japan knows a thing or two about tsunamis, and in the face of the Frenchmen, created a sizeable one of their own.

Enough to temporarily overwhelm the frogs and come within four points of the finish line and cause a momentous upset.

Fear and trepidation of coach Marc Leivremont’s customary post-match lambasting was enough to scare the French into a late try-scoring flurry, running out victors 47-21.

Again, the final score not reflective of a valiant Japanese effort. One that starved the French of 75 per cent of possession.

Scotland was required to dig deep to protect their legacy against a resolute Romanian side, whose forwards are mentored by former All Black powerhouse Steve McDowall.

Romania, the last to qualify of the 20 competing nations, remarkably led Scotland 24-21 with 13-minutes remaining.

The seventh-ranked Scots were forced to table their get-out-of-jail card by way of 13 unanswered points thanks to winger Simon Danielli. On the final whistle, captain Alastair Kellock breathed a huge sigh of relief, which reverberated all the way back from his country of origin.

Pool C’s showdown between England and Argentina under the covers of Otago’s new stadium was arguably the most anticipated of the weekend.

For three-quarters of the epic arm-wrestle, the ninth-ranked Argy-bargies looked to have the better of the fifth-ranked Poms.

Martin Johnson’s attempts to cash in his insurance policy by way of Jonny Wilkinson’s trusted boot was returned ‘insufficient cover’ (I call it the curse of the Black jersey).

Meaning the Brits were forced to play some real rugby.

Enter able replacement Ben Youngs who scampered over for the match-clinching try with 12-minutes remaining. Final score 13-9, and another hugely relieved Northern Hemisphere coach.

Southern Hemisphere Tri Nations champions Australia had to wait till Sunday to get a taste of Rugby World Cup action against Nick Mallett’s Italians.

Whatever the Australians lacked in seniority and experience was predictably compensated in flare and finesse, but only after Italy had held James Horwill’s XV level at six-all after 40 minutes.

Coach Robbie Deans would have none of it, and decided to let James O’Connor off the leash with 30-minutes remaining.

O’Connor’s teammates got the message. Proceeding to rack-up 26 unanswered points in lots of 5 courtesy of Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley Cooper, James O’Connor and the best left-winger in the game, Digby Ioane.

Or is it right-wing? It doesn’t matter, the bloke is everywhere all at once.

Italian Captain Sergio Parisse and his XV fought bravely, but had exhausted all their resources on a valiant first-half performance. Final score 32-6.

In terms of classic matches though, the best was most definitely saved till last. And it came in the form of defending champions South Africa against the will of the Welsh.

Wellington’s Westpac Stadium was the scene of a blatant Springbok robbery, aided and abetted by two touch-judge accomplices, George Clancy and Vinny Munro.

Had James Hook’s 14th minute penalty-goal been justly awarded, South Africa’s one-point victory would have been a two-point loss.

Hook was convinced his kick sailed over. The crowd agreed. Francois Steyn did too. Replays confirmed it. Yet it mattered for nothing. And counted for nothing.

In spite of the setback, Wales still managed to hit the lead at the business-end thanks to their titanic Tongan-born, try-scoring number eight Toby Faletau.

Despite superior lineout, scrum, and ruck-and-maul stakes Wales’ cause was ultimately in vain.

South Africa overhauled the six-point deficit when super-sub Francois Hougaard sliced painfully through Welsh defenses. Morne Steyne converted and the Boks battening down the hatches to hold out for their one-point victory, 17-16.

After 48-hours of nail-biting breath-taking rugby, I for one was emotionally spent. The Rugby World Cup itinerary suddenly takes on a whole new light.

Those nations formerly thought to be ‘making up numbers’ are genuine contenders in their own right on a global stage that is mysteriously leveling in nature.

Regardless of their pedigree or history, the minnows have every opportunity and prospect of claiming a prize-scalp or two before their time in this tournament is done.

I sincerely hope they do. Just not a black one.