I have interest, I just didn't notice the new topic devoted speifically to the World Cup.
Tripped over it on my way to the general rugby topic I made.
NZ toppled Tonga in the opener, Dagg continues to make a case for himself to start at the business end of the cup matches. Personally I'd play him on a wing opposite Jane with Mils old head at fullback.
Sonny Bill had a nice game, opening things up with the offloads. To me, his time hinges more on the performance of Conrad Smith (who has a game you can generally set your clock to) rather than Ma'a Nonu, despite the fact that Nonu is the one who plays his position.
It's the chemistry between Nonu and Smith (the best chemistry in a centre pairing on the planet, I'd say) that keeps SBW on the outer in the big games. Personally, I'd say he's better (or has a better main weapon) than Nonu already. Therefore it'll take sub-par games from Conrad Smith, not Nonu, to convince Henry to play Sonny Bill instead.
New Zealand has the best schedule imaginable, really. From the order they play the games to the spacing between games, they couldn't ask for any better.
Was good to see Tonga keep at it, string together those phases and to have the patience and presence of mind to keep it tight, rather than lose possession spinning it wide to their backs prematurely... the earnt their try.
