Japan are one of the top storylines of the Rugby World Cup so far. Photo / Getty
Japan are one of the top storylines of the Rugby World Cup so far. Photo / Getty
It's already been quite a World Cup. Here's the top 10 stories that have caught our attention so far....
1. JAPAN SHAKES THE RUGBY WORLD
Japan celebrate their game-winning try. Photo / Getty
No matter what happens from here, it will be hard to topple Japan's mighty 34-32 upset of South Africa on the second dayof the tournament. Kiwi journeyman Karne Hesketh wrote himself into Japanese sporting folklore with the match-winning try in overtime.
Argentina provided a scare to the All Blacks this morning. Photo / Brett Phibbs
For a World Cup to matter, there must be a depth of contenders. Having beaten the Wallabies and South Africa in recent encounters, Argentina rattled the All Blacks cage big-time at Wembley before the defending world champions settled via Sonny Bill Williams and won 26-16.
3. PRINCE HARRY STEALS THE SHOW
Prince Harry speaking at the opening ceremony. Photo / Getty
A modest 20-minute opening ceremony at Twickenham ahead of the England-Fiji match hit the spot with fans and the TV audience. Prince Harry, a rugby nut, stole the show with a cameo as a peasant gardener alongside Jonny Wilkinson in a big screen video spoof of how the game was created.
4. GEORGIA UPSETS TONGA
Georgia celebrate after taking down Tonga. Photo / Getty
It wasn't quite in the Japan stakes but Georgia's 17-10 win over Tonga in Kingsholm was an unexpected result. An underrated Georgian forward pack showed strong commitment and accuracy to better their Pacific Island opponents.
5. EX-NRL STARS MAKE AN IMPACT
Sonny Bill Williams was a star against Argentina. Photo / Brett Phibbs
All Black Sonny Bill Williams had a major influence as a second half substitute and helped save New Zealand blushes in their opening match. Another NRL star Sam Burgess also made a strong cameo off the bench for England against Fiji.
6. RICHIE FALLS FOUL OF BARNES
Richie McCaw talks to referee Wayne Barnes in the Argentina clash which saw him sin-binned. Photo / Brett Phibbs
Richie McCaw was sin-binned for only the third time in 143 matches for the All Blacks. Ref Wayne Barnes sent him on his way after a foot trip of Argentine flanker Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe.
7. INJURIES ROCK WALES AND FRANCE
France's Yoann Huget is helped by medical staff. His World Cup is over. Photo / AP
Welsh coach Warren Gatland had already lost Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb before the World Cup. His woes worsened after the 54-9 win over Uruguay with three of his props injured. France also lost star winger Yoann Huget to a tournament-ending knee injury in their first match against Italy.
Ireland crossed seven times in their opener against Canada. Photo / Getty
The Six Nations champs ran in seven tries in downing Canada 50-7 in Cardiff. Ireland had found it hard going to get across the white line in test matches prior to this tournament but boosted their confidence no end with this display.
9. ENGLAND UNDERWHELM AGAINST FIJI
England were less impressive against Fiji. Photo / Getty
England's chariot looked to have wobbly wheels against Fiji in the tournament opener. The host nation ultimately got home 35-11 at Twickenham but the scoreline flattered them.
10. STEADY SAMOA GRABS ITS CHANCES
Samoa were stable and solid in their win over the USA. Photo / Getty
Samoa did enough to quell the US Eagles 25-16 in Brighton. But it's their impending clashes with South Africa, Scotland and everybody's new sentimental group favourites Japan that will spike in interest from here.
