There was no escaping the rugby-themed atmosphere in the Octagon, with impromptu hakas, World Cup-inspired outfits, team jerseys, flags, and international accents, featuring throughout the afternoon.
A capacity crowd raised the roof inside the Dunedin Town Hall as the first game of the 2011 tournament, between the All Blacks and Tonga, started, belting out stirring renditions of the national anthem and haka.
Minutes after kick-off, the Dunedin fan zone revellers were back on their feet to cheer on All Black superboot Dan Carter as he scored the first points of the tournament when he knocked over a penalty goal at Eden Park.
Patrons at Octagon bars and restaurants gathered around outside television screens to watch the game, while earlier the chants of Argentinian supporters had echoed through the central city as good-natured festivities dominated Dunedin.
The atmosphere is expected to move to another level today when England and Argentina fans come out in force to support their teams before tonight's 8.30 kick-off at Otago Stadium.
England fans Rob Hateley, Lewis Mason, Rob Young, and Anthony Hunt were fired up for a night of festivities when they arrived in the Octagon yesterday afternoon.
The group said they were taking an impromptu approach during their visit to Dunedin and were off to pick up their match tickets from the Regent Theatre.
"We've got no plan, nothing. We've only just arrived after we managed to blag ourselves this van to travel down in," Mr Hateley said.
