Argentina have an unenviable task before them this afternoon. Steve Hansen's side feature 1,013 Test caps in the starting line-up and a further 316 on the bench. They've won 20 and drawn one of their 21 Tests against Argentina and have over an 80% success rate in Test rugby during the last four years. 

What have you got, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe and co? 

Here we go then. A first chance to look at the defending champions, the overwhelming favourites. New Zealand, the most experienced XV in international history, have attracted a big crowd and Wayne Barnes and Dan Carter get the match under way.

Image source, PA

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

Ed's note - it's part of a boot deal they have with a sportswear manufacturer. There's four different types apparently - one of which is named the CrazyQuick Malice. Other ridiculously named boots are available.

The Wembley turf a Granny Smith green, perfect for such a special occasion. This patch of land hasn't seen anything as ferocious as the Haka but is about to get a taste of the All Black war dance. The crowd revel in the theatre, as do we all. 

Andrew Mehrtens
Former New Zealand fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"I'll tell you what's on the players' minds as they emerge on to the pitch: 'Let's get through the next two or three minutes and get into the game.' You just want to get your hands on the ball, get your first shoulder in and get some physical contact.

"The New Zealand players love doing the Haka because it's such an important part of the culture. But they just want to get started. They want to get through the anthems - and the Argentina anthem is pretty long by the way - and get to kick-off."

Andrew Mehrtens
Former New Zealand fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"I wouldn't say Richie McCaw is vital, because New Zealand have created a lot of depth in the squad, but he's still an important player.

"The strength of the squad is that nobody could be seen as vital now. I'd like to see Richie be able to concentrate on his strengths today, because the players around him are doing their jobs too."

The noise inside Wembley sounds absolutely deafening. The two sets of players, New Zealand in their unmistakable black and Argentina in their familiar blue and white hoops, make their way past the World Cup trophy and onto the turf.

It's anthems time.

Andrew Mehrtens
Former New Zealand fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

“I would hope the atmosphere won’t unnerve New Zealand. What’s more likely to be an issue is that the players are so excited to be out there. It would be very tempting to try to do a little too much. They just have to focus on their jobs.”

New Zealand:  Ben Smith; Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea; Dan Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements:  Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Victor Vito, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Sonny Bill Williams.

Argentina:  Joaquin Tuculet; Santiago Cordero, Marcelo Bosch, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff; Nicolas Sanchez, Tomas Cubelli; Leonardo Senatore, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, Pablo Matera; Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti; Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Agustin Creevy (capt), Marcos Ayerza.

Replacements:  Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera, Ramino Herrera, Mariano Galarza, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Martin Landajo, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino.

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at Wembley Stadium

To Wembley Stadium for the All Blacks versus Argentina. Beautiful weather in London, some atmosphere, with the Argentine faithful in good song. I am reliably informed that this could be the largest ever crowd for a Rugby World Cup match, eclipsing the 82,957 souls who saw England beat Australia in the 2003 final in Sydney.

Image source, Getty Images

By contrast, Argentina, who have not beaten the All Blacks in 21 Tests, have seven World Cup debutants in their starting XV.

Pumas head coach Daniel Hourcade has made five changes to the side beaten 26-12 by South Africa , external in Buenos Aires a month ago. 

Defending champions New Zealand will field the most experienced XV in international history against the Pumas.

The All Blacks side features 1,013 Test caps in the starting line-up, with a further 316 on the bench.

Eight of the New Zealand XV started that World Cup final four years ago, when the All Blacks beat France 8-7.

Richie McCaw will lead his country for the 143rd time, with Tony Woodcock set to equal Englishman Jason Leonard's record of 104 Test starts as a prop.

Image source, Getty Images

Today, reigning champions New Zealand begin their Rugby World Cup defence against Argentina in front of 80,000 people at Wembley. It promises to be a belter.

And, make no mistake, it's a match head coach Steve Hansen is taking deadly seriously...

We've had shocks, we've had dramatic finishes and we've had dominating wins.

We've had brilliant individual performances from big names and lesser-known names alike.

We've had an opening weekend full to the brim of fantastic rugby union action.

One thing, however, has still been missing...

Image source, Getty Images