The Rugby World Cup kicked off in Sydney yesterday with an atmospheric ceremony featuring Aborig-inal bush spirits, a fireworks spectacular and giant inflatable rugby fans.
More than 83,000 fans turned out in blustery conditions at Sydney's Olympic stadium, the vast majority hoping to inspire defending champions Australia against Argentina.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard joined the fiercely patriotic crowd belting out the bush ballad Waltzing Matilda at the curtain raiser after earlier criticizing International Rugby Board (IRB) restrictions on the song.
The event took place amid Australia's largest security operation since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, with police sniffer dogs screening the crowd as 450 counter-terrorism experts with Black Hawk helicopters on standby nearby.
The ceremony began with a "call to play" as dozens of drummers beat a tattoo in synchronization.
With the one-year anniversary of the Bali bombings tomorrow, Australian players' jerseys were embroidered with a sprig of wattle, a yellow flowering plant traditionally used for remembrance here.
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