All Blacks seek place in history

England and Fiji on Friday start the Rugby World Cup and a scramble to see who can stop the mighty All Blacks claiming their place in history with a second straight triumph.

Twickenham, one of the world's most iconic stadiums, will be packed with 82,000 people for the start of the six week 20-nation spectacle.

More than 2.3 million tickets have been sold for the 48 matches -- a World Cup record -- and some touts sought more than 10 times the face value of tickets for the opening ceremony and England-Fiji clash.

Chris Robshaw's England know they will face a tough test against Fiji who have giants such as the 6ft 2in (1.88 metre) and 205 pounds (93kilo) Nemani Nadolo.

But England -- the only Northern Hemisphere side to have won the Cup, in 2003 -- have a nation behind them amid mounting rugby fever. World Cup beach parties, beer festivals and bake-offs have been held the length and breadth of the country.  

"The Rugby World Cup will be a compelling spectacle watched by millions across the globe over the next 44 days," said British Prime Minister David Cameron ahead of the start.

"The tournament promises to be the best ever and it will leave a lasting legacy for the sport in our country and around the world."

World Rugby president Bernard Lapasset said 2015 will be "the most successful" World Cup ever.

- Pool of Death -

England are likely to remain the focus of the first round as they are in the toughest group, Pool A -- with Australia, Wales and Uruguay as well as Fiji. Only two teams qualify from the Pool of Death.

But the hosts and rugby's other top nations -- Australia, South Africa, Ireland and France -- will also be anxiously waiting to see how New Zealand fare when they start against Argentina in Pool C on Sunday.

The All Blacks, defending champions and looking to become the first side two win two straight World Cups, are indisputably the world's best team.

But neither of their two previous triumphs in the tournament have been on foreign soil. And they have made a habit of struggling against France in particular in the World Cup.

They have lost twice to the French and beat them by a single point in the 2011 final.

Star fly-half Dan Carter, 33, will make his last appearances in an All Black shirt hoping to be part of history.

Carter has struggled with injury in recent years.

He told AFP: "There were times in those four years that I questioned whether I'd be here, but the body is good, it's exciting to be here and it's going to be my last World Cup so I'm just wanting to do whatever I can to help this team perform."

Australia, rejuvenated by coach Michael Cheika and with one of the star players in Israel Folau, are one of the form teams coming into the World Cup.

They inflicted New Zealand's last defeat to win the Southern Hemisphere's four nation Rugby Championship in August.

Australia start the tournament next Wednesday against Fiji at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

"There's a great level of self-belief within the group, not only collectively but also individually," said Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell.

World Cup organisers are putting a new emphasis on player safety after several injury scares and discipline.

Former Welsh international Leigh Thomas retired from rugby on Tuesday blaming head blows during games for his epilepsy.

For the first time at the World Cup, Hawk-Eye cameras will help the referee take decisions but doctors will also monitor players injured during the games.

"As soon as there is a potential risk after a blow or a tackle, we act very quickly," vowed World Rugby president Lapasset.
Source: AFP