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PARIS - Sunday (NZ time) at the Rugby World Cup was where the so-called minnows hit back and gave themselves more of a case to retain the 20-team format for the 2011 edition and not 16 as the sport's ruling body the IRB has indicated it might prefer.
The 1995 champions South Africa were given an almighty shock as fellow unbeaten side Tonga led them and were edged 30-25 at the end, but only after coach Jake White had to resort to his "Old Guard" and throw them on as reserves in the second-half.
Importantly for the valiant Pacific Islanders they accrued a defensive bonus point while the Springboks guaranteed they would finish top of the group and face Wales or Fiji in the quarter-finals - with Australia likely to cement their place as top of their group when they face a second string Fijian side on Monday.
Present titleholders England also went dangerously close to not only losing to Samoa but also becoming the first reigning champions to go out in the first round.
The Samoans closed to within four points early in the second-half, only for the Pacific Islanders to end up losing 44-22 as England's World Cup winning hero Jonny Wilkinson registered his return to the tournament since landing the drop goal that clinched the title for the English in 2003 with 24 points.
Namibia too also caused a few problems for the Argentinians in the early stages of their match as a second string team only trailed the Pumas 6-3 after the first quarter.
However, the Argentinians eventually romped home 63-3 and will look to September 30th date with Ireland to seal their fate in either finishing top of the group or the other extreme going out, though they could also finish runners-up - presenting a rather muddled picture.
White had said he hoped he would not have to resort to the "Old Guard" of captain John Smit, Victor Matfield and Percy Montgomery, even if he had put them on the replacements bench as insurance.
However, he must be counting his blessings as only a few minutes into the second-half with Tonga leading 10-7, White sent on everyone apart from Montgomery.
Montgomery was eventually to be sent on - for the hapless first-five Andre Pretorius who must have lost all hope of displacing normal number one Butch James after missing several easy penalties and kicks for touch - and in the process become the Springboks record caps holder with 90.
"My substitutes saved me and I'm very relieved," said White, who had also seen his second string side struggle to a warm-up match narrow win over Irish province Connacht.
"Everyone gets tested, that's why it's called a Test match. In selection, we were tested to see whether or not those players could play in a World Cup, were they ready, could they fit into the team."
In his typically laconic style White said that nobody was going to suffer for the lacklustre first-half showing.
"I'm not going to have them shot at dawn."
Tongan coach Quddus Fielea was in an ecstatic frame of mind.
"It was one of the magical moments for us today (Saturday)," he said.
If Fielea experienced a magical moment, then he has been promised a fight to the death by England coach Brian Ashton next Friday.
"It's a fight to the death on Friday night," said Ashton.
"We've had two indifferent performances to say the least (England opened their 2007 campaign with an unconvincing 28-10 win against the United States before a record World Cup defeat 36-0 to South Africa).
"Today (Saturday) was a step in the right direction."
Wilkinson too was satisfied having not only come through unscathed but also with still a chance of progressing.
"Realising we're operating in a win at all costs atmopshere, there's a touch of relief involved," said Wilkinson.
Sadly for Samoan rugby it registered the last game in charge for All Black legend Michael Jones, who had stepped up to the top spot after being assistant under John Boe at the 2003 edition.
"This is my last tour of duty, it's time for new blood and a new voice," said Jones, a World Cup-winner with New Zealand at the inaugural 1987 edition.
With Tonga still in the hunt it may also see the last eight at the World Cup with a refreshingly new voice and blood - at the expense of the world champions.
- AFP
