Rugby World Cup day three: While you were sleeping

An All Black fan drapes herself in the silver fern. Photo / Getty Images

The 2015 Rugby World Cup has roared into life with an upset for the ages. Here's all that occurred in the early hours this morning.

WHAT'S HAPPENED

For a few scary moments it looked like Japan's monumental toppling of South Africa might be challenged for the upset of the tournament. The All Blacks trailed 13-12 at halftime in the face of an inspired Argentina before recovering with a much improved second half. Even worse, Richie McCaw was yellow carded for (gasp!) a trip on a Pumas player and was then joined in the sin bin by Conrad Smith, temporarily leaving NZ down to 13 men. It was the subs off the bench and coaching smarts that saved blushes in the All Black camp in their eventual 26-16 victory. Steve Hansen injected Sonny Bill Williams, Beauden Barrett, Sam Cane and Charlie Faumauina into the game early in the second spell and the quartet were inspiring in lifting the All Black tempo. In other matches played overnight, Wales opened their account with a 54-9 win over Uruguay but suffered more injury problems and Samoa toppled the United States 25-16.

Match report: All Blacks' narrow escape
Match report: Wales underwhelming in win over Uruguay
Match report: Samoa beat USA in bruising encounter

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Because it proves the All Blacks aren't South Africa. They were rocked, and rocked hard. But they settled the ship, dug deep and rode out the storm. There was steel there, if not as much skill as we are used to from the men in black.

UPSETS?

It threatened but was then quelled. Japan's win over the Springboks remains the upset of the ages and will only be toppled if Namibia can beat the All Blacks this Friday .

HOW DOES THIS AFFECT THE ALL BLACKS

It has rid the machine of the rust that has gathered since their last test which seems eons ago now. It reinforces confidence that they can win ugly and it reminded the rest of the world that you have to play 80 minutes to beat this All Blacks side.

COMING UP

Australia has their first game of the tournament, taking on Fiji in Cardiff on Thursday morning. But of greater interest earlier that night is Scotland's first hit-out - against mighty Japan! The Brave Blossoms are suddenly the team to watch and the Scots will be anxious.

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