John Key: 'I was sitting there thinking, oh Jesus, a try would be nice'

All Blacks 2nd-five Ma'a Nonu in action during the Pool C match between New Zealand and Argentina held at Wembley Stadium. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Blacks fans will be pleased with this morning's win, but many bars opening in the early hours to host the game live didn't receive the customers they might have expected.

People choosing watch the game live on screen from the comfort of their home meant lines company Vector's control room saw a noticeable rise in demand shortly before kick-off at 3.45am.

Vector reported Auckland's electricity demand was up 16 megawatts from the same time last week.

Not all bars have done well from early morning opening hours to cater for rugby fans, with five bars at Auckland's Viaduct open, but only one full of customers.

The Fox sports bar in downtown Auckland was busy, but serving mostly coffee to the many All Blacks fans and handful of Argentina supporters.

One bar had only two diehard fans until the first half of the game, and others had about a dozen patrons.

One All Blacks supporter said the match up against Argentina was the "ideal" way to start the Rugby World Cup journey for the men in black.

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry told TV3's Paul Henry show the game was a great test to begin the tournament.

"I think it was ideal for the All Blacks. They were the second best side on the field for most of the game ... and that's a great way to start the tournament.

"They needed that game, they were rusty, they looked flat, they weren't sharp, Argentina played with more passion for 60 minutes.

Prime Minister John Key said he was among the dedicated supporters getting an early start on the week by watching the game live.

"I always thought it was going to be tough, Argentina's defence was great," he told TV3's Paul Henry Show.

Mr Key said he felt nervous when the second half ended and Argentina were ahead on the scoreboard.

"I was sitting there thinking, 'oh Jesus, a try would be nice', but anyway they got there."

Mr Key said he thought Sonny Bill Williams had "a blinder" and Sir Graham agreed.

"Sonny Bill Williams should have been man of the match in my opinion, he opened the game up, he off-loaded, he broke up the Argentinians," Sir Graham said.

In Dunedin, only one bar in the Octagon was open to screen the game live.

Two shift workers in Dunedin took up the opportunity to enjoy an after-work drink for the first time and watch the rugby live.

A group working at Allied Press, who print the Otago Daily Times, had just finished their shift, so it coincided nicely with the kick off of the All Blacks first Rugby World Cup game.

New Plymouth bars remained quiet this morning, with no more than 15 people braving a very windy start to reach the busiest bar on the city's main street. Other bars on Devon Street only had single figures in attendance.

Around 40 Cantabrians turned up to Pegasus Arms to watch the game live, and most were ordering coffee at the bar.

All Blacks fan Casey Le Breton said he would be celebrating the All Black's first match with a drop of the good stuff if it wasn't a Monday morning.

Argentina supporter Jose Gerardo Caballero said he was "extremely proud" of his team's performance.

"I bet my boss that Argentina would be leading at half-time, so I have free breakfast and lunch today," he said.

"I'm very happy, I could only be more happy if they won."I'm extremely happy and proud, the guys did an awesome job," he said.

Mr Caballero watched the game at home with his Kiwi girlfriend Mandy Spencer, who supports the All Blacks.

"We also had my family on Skype and lots of friends in Argentina sending me texts and messages, it was really good," Mr Caballero said.

"I haven't had any sleep ... I was too nervous ... but it'll be a great day, lots of people at work are congratulating me, saying Argentina played really well."