We are off and running. Final preparations are all completed and it is now game day in New Zealand! New Zealand will kick off against Tonga at 4:30am et in what is undoubtedly the biggest game of all these players lives. The All Blacks must avoid an embarrassing slip up, a la the French team in 2007 and stamp their mark as home favourites from the get go. The Tongans will be on the biggest stage ever for their fiercely proud rugby nation and really have nothing to lose. The importance of the opening match is underlined by the current Tongan parliament (albeit comprised of only 13 MPs!) who have tried to pass legislation to change starting selections and remove the Unions president. New Zealand is no stranger to "questions in parliament" over rugby results. Their previous disappointments at the World Cup level have always loomed in the nations politics and have been blamed for the fall of at least one government. The ability of Graham Henrys team to manage the internal pressure for the public and media is for me, the biggest current story line of the tournament. The game is effectively a religion for both these proud nations. Results do matter. And the game of rugby is receiving its greatest profile ever and being noticed by more people than ever before in its history. Interesting the game traditionally led by the "blazers", "alicadoos" and Will Carlings "57 old farts" is really at the vanguard of social networking and alternative media platform exposure. The tweets, facebook groups and mobile handheld apps are everywhere around this Rugby World cup. The game is breaking new ground in new regions. I just got off a flight from Vancouver to Toronto to start coverage for TSN and my personal entertainment system contained both the 2003 and 2007 finals. NBC Network TV has been running promos for their RWC coverage for weeks. This is all unchartered territory for North American audiences and the advent of the Rugby World Cup with its familiar pool structure and international clashes is compelling to even the uninitiated. Forget about the Kiwis who have been selected for Japan, and the Samoans playing for England. Forget about the growth of professional attitudes, the use of television match officials, and the intrusion of sponsors and TV partners into the running of the game. The real essence of rugby is epitomized in the pride in playing for your nations jersey. These values are revealed at RWC like no other time in the rugby calendar. We saw how pride and commitment to the cause drove Argentina to new heights in 2007. I am happy to report we have seen this passion in our own Canadian team. They have worked extremely hard over recent years and the past summer. They may discover a gulf of playing experience facing them as a result of their largely domestic competition circumstances, but they have chosen to confront a difficult pool head on. For me, as an ex-player, I am delighted that they have not looked for excuses. Led by captain Riordan, they are doing it their own way (beards and all!) and bringing that Canadian work ethic and commitment to this tournament. I applaud them for their approach so far. Two of their opponents in this tournament will line up in the opening fixture tonight. They will literally be face-to-face as they perform respective Polynesian war dances. As the cameras zoom in on these physical specimens, I urge you to consider: where else you witness this complete dedication and devotion in the international sporting arena? Long Live the Rugby World Cup! Gareth Rees is Canadas all time leading scorer who has played in four world cups and remains in the international top ten of World Cup scoring.Gareth would love to hear your comments and questions about any world cup issues and will look to respond on TSN.ca, TSN and TSN Radio over the coming weeks! Michael Kors Black Friday UK Free Shipping. -- Rodney Stuckey pulled the Pistons out of trouble. Michael Kors Black Friday. -- Vladimir Tkachev scored his second goal of the game 16:58 into overtime as the Moncton Wildcats took Game 2 against the host Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 6-5 on Friday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. http://www.mkblackfriday.co.uk/. - PGA Tour rookie Tony Finau shot a 9-under 63 at Del Monte and had a two-stroke lead over Billy Andrade and Lee Janzen of the Champions Tour after Thursdays opening round of the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational. Michael Kors Black Friday UK. Terry Collins is coming back confident better days lie ahead. 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