The Rugby World Cup is finally underway as the opening match day of the tournament got underway at Eden Park
After a 12 month delay, the tournament began with a triple-header as World Cup contenders England, France and New Zealand opened their campaigns with victories
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Canada showed their dominance over Japan whilst Italy held off a valiant effort from the USA to kick off day two.
Meanwhile, the match of the weekend was saved for last as Wales somehow found a way to hold off Scotland after the siren.
Rugby.com.au breaks down week one of the 2021 Rugby World Cup
France have started their tournament strong, cruising to a 40-5 victory over South Africa.
The fourth-ranked French started strong as scrumhalf Laure Sansus burst through a gaping hole to open the scoring inside the first two minutes.
Two further tries to Romane Menager and Emilie Boulard, who snatched an intercept, pushed the lead out to 19-0.
It looked like going from bad to worse for South Africa when Sizophila Solontsi was yellow-carded for a high shot.
However, the 11th-ranked side refused to die as Nomawethu Mabenge dived over just after the break.
With the game still in the balance, France showed their class to run away with the contest.
Sansus crossed for her second whilst Caroline Drouin scored and set one up in the final quarter to claim the bonus-point victory
Quotes
"We are very happy. We put in 40 points and we wanted to make a big start today. We told ourselves to do clean things, to play our game, and that's what we managed to do: make a big start and finish with a last try, so we're quite happy - France captain Celene Ferer.
"I am very proud of them, even though it was not the result we were expecting because we are coming up with a young team and they gave it all and they pushed so hard for that scoreboard. That doesn’t mean so much when you know that you gave your heart and we gave our best." South Africa captain Nolusindiso Booi
Scores
France 40 (TRIES: Laure Sansus (2), Gabrielle Vernier, Emilie Boulard, Caroline Drouin, Joanna Grisez; CONS: Caroline Drouin (2), Lina Queyroi (3) def South Africa 5 (TRIES: Nomawethu Mabenge)
England have sent a message to the rest of the competition with a 84-19 thumping of Fiji.
The first-half was a tight affair as Claudia MacDonald opened the scoring, her first of four from the victory.
Fiji refused to die wondering and their expansive style of Rugby as tries to Alowesi Nakoci and Sesenieli Donu kept the scoreline close at the break.
However, England were too strong after the break and run away with the contest, scoring six tries in the space of 20 minutes.
McDonald would cross for twice late tries to blow out the margin as the world number one cruised to victory.
Quotes
"First of all, I want to say congratulations, Fiji. It’s their debut at a World Cup and that first half they came to play. They rattled us with their physicality and their intent to play, with their offload game. 14-24 at half-time was a real test for us and we had to go back to the drawing board and just think about how we wanted to play and not get drawn into their way. I think [we were] a bit more composed second half, had a bit more control and like to think that we went back to being England and put out a decent performance second half." - England captain Sarah Hunter
"Coming into this environment was new. We enjoyed it first 20 minutes, then we got frustrated, then we got a lesson about how it feels to go against the number one team in the world. "I think we can just get better from here. That was one we didn’t want to lose so we can get better from here and concentrate on our next games. I think we could have played better but it just wasn’t our day. We learned a lot and it’s a good learning for our first time in a World Cup." - Fijian captain Sereima Leweniqila
Scores
England 84 (Claudia Macdonald (4), Amy Cokayne (2), Abbie Ward, Helena Rowland, Zoe Aldcroft, Lydia Thompson (2), Abby Dow, Leanne Infante, Connie Powell; CONS: Emily Scarratt (5), Zoe Harrison (2) def Fiji 19 (TRIES: Alowesi Nakoci, Sesenieli Donu, Lavena Cavuru; CONS: Lavena Cavuru (2)
The Black Ferns have secured a 41-17 victory over the Wallaroos at Eden Park.
The scoreline doesn't reflect just how good the Wallaroos were to start the game, stunning the defending champions early.
A double to Bienne Terita helped them raise out to a 17-0 lead inside 20 minutes.
However, the hosts rallied to get themselves back in the game before half-time.
Yellow cards to Shannon Parry and Ivania Wong opened it up for the Kiwis as they raced away with the bonus point win.
Quotes
"It was definitely a game of two halves. Australia really put us under the pump there right from the start. I’m proud of how we closed off that first half and the way that we finished that game." - New Zealand captain Ruahei Demant.
“We obviously got off to a really good start in those first 30 minutes but then we let them back in the game, back in that first half. There were positives to take out of it but some negatives to work on before our second round game.” - Australia captain Shannon Parry
Scores
New Zealand 41 (TRIES: Joanah Ngan-Woo, Portia Woodman (3), Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Ruby Tui (2); CONS: Kendra Cocksedge, Renee Holmes (2) def Australia 17 (Bienne Terita 2, Ivania Wong; CONS: Arabella McKenzie)
Italy have surged away with a brutal second-half display to claim a 22-10 win over USA.
USA lock Hallie Taufoou started the game strong, opening the scoring in the first five minutes for the sixth-ranked side.
However, Italy remained calm and a try to Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi gave them a 7-5 lead at the break.
From here, they kicked clear thanks to a double to winger Aura Muzzo.
Whilst Jenny Kronish got the USA back into the contest, a late try to Maria Magatti put the game out of reach.
However, the Italians will be sweating on the fitness of flanker Ilaria Arrighetti after she suffered a nasty knee injury.
Quotes
"The first half we had some problems to manage the possession of the ball, we know against USA if we don’t have possession we know they are a strong team. Just at the end of the first half we go in the USA half, we try to play more, but many mistakes so in half-time we spoke about this and in the second half it was much better, the possession." Italy coach Andrea di Giandomenico
“We struggled at lineout time, that was disappointing, and I think everyone could see that and from there we really struggled to get any momentum, which is difficult when your set piece isn’t functioning. Really that first 30 minutes, we were very dominant and didn’t come away with enough points and that was really where the game was lost today.” USA coach Rob Cain
Scores
Italy 22 (TRIES: Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, Aura Muzzo (2), Maria Magatti; CONS: Michela Sillari) def USA 10 (TRIES: Hallie Taufoou, Jenny Kronish)
Canada have cemented their spot on top of pool C with a dominant 41-5 victory over Japan.
Half-back Brianna Miller crossed twice to help put Canada 27-5 up at half-time.
Hooker Emily Tuttosi would prove unstoppable, crossing just after the break to secure her hat-trick as the Canadians raced away with the win.
A late try to Mikiela Nelson put the result out of question and they cruised to the bonus-point victory.
Quotes
“I thought we had a really strong start to the game. We wanted to come in there and be assertive and get some go forward and I think we did that. I still think we have quite a few kick stars. Strong performance, but lots to improve moving forward.” - Canada captain Sophie de Goede
“In this first game, I feel like we were able to accomplish things that we've been focusing and building on. But the result was not what we wanted, what we expected.” Japan captain Saki Minami
Scores
Canada 41 (TRIES: Paige Farries, Emily Tuttosi (3), Brianna Miller (2), Mikiela Nelson; CONS: Brianna Miller, Sophie De Goede (2) def Japan 5 (TRIES: Maki Takano)
Keira Bevan landed a penalty in the 85th minute to seal a dramatic 18-15 win for Wales over Scotland.
Wales started strong as they raced out to a 15-5 lead at the break.
However, il-discipline nearly cost the Welsh, with prop Cara Hope and winger Jasmine Joyce issued yellow cards in the last quarter of the game.
This allowed Scotland to hit back, with Megan Gaffney scoring her second in the 79th minute, before Helen Nelson's kick from in front sailed away.
With the game looking like heading for a draw, Wales held onto possession well past the final bell, eventually earning a penalty to win it.
This allowed replacement scrumhalf Bevan to be the hero, nailing the kick to send the Welsh faithful wild
Quotes
“It was a brilliant kick from Keira, she really slotted that one over. I had pure confidence in her, I knew she was going to get it over. First half, the momentum was with us. It was great attacking from us but it slowed down second half and we have to better disciplined for the next game. But it was a brilliant shift from the girls, I can’t fault it." Wales captain Hannah Jones
“I am heartbroken at the minute. The way we fought back into the game shows the character that we have within this team. We are so passionate about performing for our country and it just shows the effect of not taking points when we had pressure earlier in the game. We needed to start better but I have no doubt with the girls that I have got in my squad that they pick themselves up tomorrow and we’ll come into training and give it our absolute all to try and get a result next week.” Scotland coach Rachel Malcolm
Score
Wales 18 (TRIES: Alisha Butchers, Kayleigh Powell; CONS: Elinor Snowsill; PENS: Elinor Snowsill, Keira Bevan) def Scotland 15 (TRIES: Lana Skeldon, Megan Gaffney (2)
