It’s time — will All Blacks rise to the challenge?

Sports editor

THE quest for the hat trick begins.

After more than 10 years in the making, the ninth Rugby World Cup will begin in Japan tonight.

The event will kick off six weeks of rugby action, culminating in the final to be played on November 2.

There are 48 matches to get through, with the first game tonight featuring host country Japan taking on lightweight Russia.

It is the first time a nontraditional rugby country has hosted the event but confidence is high crowds will be good and the Japanese people will closely follow the tournament.

As for what most New Zealanders care about, the All Blacks will be in action tomorrow night.

The side takes on South Africa in a pool B clash with the winner likely to go through top of the pool.

The All Blacks are searching for an unprecedented third straight title. The team has a player depth the envy of every other side at the tournament, but it is not going to be easy to hoist the cup on November 2.

This World Cup shapes as perhaps the most even since the event started in 1987.

There are upwards of eight teams which could win the tournament, although most pundits are picking the All Blacks, South Africa or England as likely winners.

There will also be interest in how the host country performs. Japan is coached by former Highlanders coaches Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown.

The host should bag a win tonight.

The event is also crossing brave new territory in New Zealand with the majority of live coverage being streamed.

Whether this works is up in the air — trial runs have gone well but the real test will come tomorrow night when the All Blacks match kicks off.