The All Blacks did not calm the nerves of their supporters as they seek to exorcise their demons World Cup, stumbled to a 41-10 victory over Tonga in the first game of the tournament at Eden Park.
Customers have come in every tournament since 1991 as the favorites to win the Webb Ellis trophy not only every four years. Have not won the World Cup since the inaugural tournament, also in New Zealand in 1987.
Prey to their error performance against a game, but hardly threatening side of Tonga, however, have done little to allay fears that they could leave the event empty-handed again.
"I would say six or seven out of 10," said coach Graham Henry on how he scored the opening performance. "It's early in the tournament, there is a bit of excitement, we waited long for this.
"Marked few good tries, defended well, made too many mistakes, gave away too many penalties.
"There is work to do."
As often happens with the All Blacks produced nice crowd, flowing attacking rugby with the man, Richard Kahu, who took two tries and was a hand in two other particularly important.
In the middle of Sonny Bill Williams and Israel Dagg was also sublime in the first half, with Williams's ability to offload in the face and take the riders on his shoulder to carry 60,214 people in the redesign Eden Park in full voice .
And Dagg, and Williams was given the opportunity to show what they could do on the big stage, and their first performance, at least would have made Henry future meetings of the selection difficult.
The All Blacks, but made too many handling errors that would be punishable by law, then they do not have to hammer the territorial advantage over the first 20 minutes of the second half when they need to keep the table flight idle.
Auckland was in a festive mood all day thousands of people flooded the center of a special "Fan Zone" to celebrate the start of the tournament.
Eden Park crowd was also treated to a brilliant opening ceremony and television images of a spectacular fireworks display in downtown Auckland, but the game does not live up to the expectations of pre- match.
The All Blacks scored four tries in each half to fullback and end cross Dagg Kahui twice each and the stage was set for a rout reminiscent of previous tests between the two parties.
Daniel Carter slots the opening three conversions and a penalty, while flyhalf Tonga Kurt Morath earned her on the board at the stroke of halftime to go to the break 29-3 down.
All Blacks, however, failed to take advantage of its leadership, after a pause, and the strongest joy to come, when Williams was a strip torn his New Jersey.
The volume also underway with several Mexican waves as their attention turned away from the region to try to have fun.
Jerome Kaino has finally ended the drought in the 58th minute when he received a pass from Kahui, who had reconvened its own right after the All Blacks have a scrum in the middle of the wheel that allowed them to exploit the blind side open.
Degenerated into a match with a physical confrontation with Tonga after hammering away at the All Blacks line, gaining several sanctions Scrum, before replacement prop Alison Taumalolo smashed his way over. Morath converted.
All Blacks had the final say when the center Ma'a Nonu finished off some clever inter-play with replacement fly-half Colin Slade, the All Blacks' sixth try which Slade converted.
"Some players looked very nervous, some new players overwhelmed by the event," said Tonga coach Isitolo Maka. "But to score 10 points against the All Blacks, I am very, very proud."
Reuters
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