Both England and Argentina were left hoping their gruelling World Cup opener would avoid the unwelcome postcript of players being cited after a bruising Pool B encounter.
Wales were left ruing a narrow 17-16 loss to South Africa in their opening World Cup match, coach Warren Gatland immediately urging his team to "get back on the horse" for a Samoa test next week.
Wallabies' playmaker Quade Cooper turned a deaf ear to booing during his first appearance at the World Cup against Italy at North Harbour on Sunday.
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers played down concerns over his side's narrow 17-16 win over Wales in their opening World Cup, saying a positive result was the only thing that mattered.
Scotland captain Alastair Kellock believes his side have already experienced a defining moment in their World Cup campaign after surviving a potential upset against Romania.
James O'Connor looks to have paid his dues and will be pushing for a return to the starting XV after an impressive performance off the reserves bench in the Wallabies' big World Cup win over Italy on Sunday.
France coach Marc Lievremont slammed his players on Sunday for an unconvincing showing against Japan despite their eventual 47-21 win against the Asian champions.
England flank James Haskell insisted the black eye he'd received in a 13-9 opening World Cup win against Argentina was a battle scar well worth having.
Japan No.8 Ryukoliniasi Holani was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup on Sunday with a knee injury, becoming the team's second player to withdraw.
Argentina centre Gonzalo Tiesi was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup on Sunday after their crunching opening defeat to England which also left captain Felipe Contepomi struggling with bruised ribs.
Wales will consider themselves desperately unlucky not to walk away with a win after going down 17-16 to the Springboks on Sunday.
Wales coach Warren Gatland lamented missed opportunities after the 17-16 defeat to South Africa in their World Cup opener in Wellington.
Defending champions South Africa managed to start their campaign on a winning note, with a nailbiting 17-16 squeaker over Wales in Wellington on Sunday.
Wales were left wondering what could have been as they were edged out 17-16 by South Africa in their opening World Cup game in Wellington.
In a very tightly contested match the Springboks held onto a 17-16 victory against a fiery Welsh side to get their World Cup campaign off to a winning start, albeit only just.
