Russia, the only team in New Zealand making their rugby World Cup debut, became the 20th and last to join the party on Thursday but it was the United States who celebrated after securing a 13-6 victory in the day's only match.
It was the States' third win in 19 World Cup games, the previous two both coming against Japan, but is likely to be their last of this tournament as they now face Australia and Italy, having lost to Ireland in their Pool C opener.
Russia's World Cup bow might have delighted the International Rugby Board, who are desperate to expand the game's bound-aries, but local fans were more concerned with matters closer to home after captain Richie McCaw and fullback Mils Muliaina were ruled out of New Zealand's second game of the tournament against Japan today.
For the neutrals, however, Russia and the U.S. provided rich entertainment in difficult conditions in New Plymouth, where once again the goalkickers struggled to hit the target with both teams missing three of their five penalty attempts.
The U.S. prevailed on the back of a superb try by scrumhalf Mike Petri and some devastating tackles but it was a still day to remember for the Russians.
"It was a special moment for Russian rugby and we can take a lot of pride from that performance," said their English director of rugby Kingsley Jones, while flyhalf Yury Kushnarev will forever have his place in the record books after scoring his country's first World Cup points with a penalty that had them briefly ahead.
Impressive U.S. captain Todd Clever said: "They're a tough team and they're getting better and better."
World Cup action continues today when the hosts take on Japan in Hamilton and New Zealand coach Graham Henry was forced to deny that he was resting two of his key men.
"There is no truth to that idea at all," he said, after flanker McCaw was ruled out with a calf strain and fullback Muliania with a tight hamstring, following the earlier withdrawal of flyhalf Dan Carter with a sore back.
Hooker Keven Mealamu will lead the side in the absence of McCaw, who will now have to wait for the key game against France to become the first All Black to win 100 caps.
For once, South Africa was able to announce some positive injury news after a troubled build-up as lock Bakkies Botha was surprisingly named to start against Fiji on Saturday.
"I still feel a bit of stiffness but it's like an old farm vehicle in the morning, it smokes a bit when you start it up but when you drive it around for half an hour and it gets hot, it can go," said the 31-year-old after overcoming an Achilles injury that to put his tournament involvement in doubt.
