If you are up early today you'll still be too late to catch the opening Rugby World Cup game at one downtown Auckland bar.

Remember it's the new game in town. After weeks of window-dressing about team arrivals, hypothetical discussions and likely combinations, the World Cup begins.

The statistics you need to know ahead of tomorrow morning's opening Rugby World Cup game between England and Fiji.

The English Rugby Union is to extend its policy of not selecting any overseas-based players for England for the next two Cups.

Fiji's focus on team-building values might give them an upper hand against England in the upcoming opening.

3D technology used to make Lord of the Rings and Gladiator helping England's goalkickers stay on target.

New Zealand are favourites but that doesn't mean anything, says All Blacks legend. PLUS: Lomu shows England how you do a haka - amazing photos.

The All Blacks are fed up. They've yet to play a game in the World Cup but they have already been bombarded by questions about the haka.

How did we end up with such an apparently lop-sided World Cup draw? Justin Marshall takes a close look at Pool A.

The list of names England announced for their opening game doesn't scream champions, writes Gregor Paul.

Sonny Bill Williams believes England have erred in their placement of Sam Burgess.

Former All Black lock Ali Williams has branded English rugby fans as the worst in the world in an amazing attack on the World Cup hosts.

Hosts urged to make sure they have their own strategies in place to deal with all the hype that is building around them.

Former England skipper says it's unfair to put league player in pressure cooker of Rugby World Cup.

England and expectation - now there's a marriage that may not last.

Manu Tuilagi has joined a long list of England rugby off-field indiscretions, ruled out of the World Cup after pleading guilty to assault.

Sam Burgess admitted he was relieved to finally score his first try for Bath in their 39-26 English rugby victory over Wasps yesterday.

The Wallabies have completed their worst European tour in almost a decade after being overpowered by England 26-17 in their season-ending test at Twickenham.

This much is clear: we've reached peak lunacy when it comes to evaluating test match referees, and the character assassination of Nigel Owens this week is the proof.

Former England captain Jamie Peacock is urging the Rugby Football League to give Steve McNamara the opportunity to finish the job of turning England into world-beaters.

Wynne Gray writes: Special team plays, astonishing individual feats or a mix of the two bring out the sporting labels for great tries.

The Twickenham crowd can take a bow. After a poor start, in which they allowed Aaron Cruden to score a dodgy try for the All Blacks, the England faithful took control and kept their team in the hunt.