Definitely the best opening of any event worldwide in my opinion. So awe inspiring and spine tingling. Soulful, emotional and incorporating so much that is everything that is us, New Zealand, Aotearoa . Beautiful Maori/ pasifika vibe. Indeed makes me feel so proud to be a New Zealander..a kiwi. So, so much has happened since this opening event. It is bitter sweet that I watch this in Dec 2021..I feel so moved by this but also a part of me is so sad that the NZ I live in today is not the NZ I grew up in. So much division esp between vax and unvaxxed...we were and I hope one day will be a World and a nation in UNION once again. God bless us all. Peace, love and respect and may 2022 be absolutely a better year for us all.
Man the organisers of this event did an incredible job, those singer's Ria hall the dancers the different ethnicities the Polynesian culture all summed up N.Z to a T,incredible choir singing and Ria was phenomenonal.
This rendition of World in Union will always be remembered as the greatest of all time, so much passion and mana behind it shows how harty us kiwis truly are.
luvd it. so use to hearing ria just belt songs with justice, but this i found jus as beautiful as all other times ive heard her sing. evander was great too. cant imagine n e one else singing this but you two. kapai korua
Ria Hall was sooo the best person to pick for this! Her Voice is sooo strong and beautiful! And she has the look and all. Maori Beauty :) MEAN MEAN MEAN. P.s thankis for posting lol :)
Kia Ora brothers and sisters! Ria Hall released her EP of original material (both in english and te reo Maori) on October 3rd 2011. Subscribe to her youtube channel RiaHallNZ, it features snippets from her EP release gig and her Electronic Press Kit. You can also download her music from iTunes. Mauriora! Team Ria Hall x
The open ceremony was amazing.... best ever opening EVER ... good going nz... definitely proud kiwi, Always and will be kiwi at heart.... thanks for uploading this vids it definitely defines wat kiwis are about.... and it shows the different diversity of cultural and people................................For a small country we have definitely made this world cup the best one ever and lets not forget ... big congratz to the ALL BLACKS........
Its' so Awesome to see a Talented Maori Sister like Ria standing there representing not only our Country but th Tangata whenua, I reckon this is th best version of "World in Union" Ive heard! With th Pacific Flava I Love it! Defeinitly represents Aotearoa! :)
@Taseret28 lol I don't doubt you do know. She is performing live though so is that really all you wanted to know?! This ain't a case of Milli Vanilli cos it's still her voice regardless of whether she is singing here or not. =0)
Seeing Jonah Lomu made me cry! He's always been a great inspiration to me. I don't think England or Japan can top this opening when they get their chance at RWC. Hopefully by then I'm in an All Blacks, Manu Samoa, or Wallabies jersey.
kiaora missownz, yes she is singing live...and i totally know where you are coming from too.. it sounds like a recording, fortunately it is actually her singing right into that mic live......
@Toksta11 Nuh uh Evander Folau is just as awesome a singer too. Check out her TH-cam vids too. They both done well and the evening went well so I don't know what the big deal is. Awesome job ladies.
@Taseret28 She is def lip synching but to a pre-recorded Live version. They do this to make sure mishaps dont happen (like Christina Aguilera singing the USA anthem wrong) also if you watch Whitney Houston's famous version of the Star Spangled Banner you will see that is also lip-synched. As you know, Whitney Houston (once had) a phenomenal voice so it was just for technical precautions. Ria Hall is also PHENOMENAL just look on YT to see for yourself.
@missownz Clearly you don't know what a disgrace it is to a singer to lip sync on a live performance. Whether it's her voice or not is not the matter. So " it's still her voice regardless of whether she is singing here or not. =0)" is pointless, because it matters. But I can guarantee, that this is indeed a live performance @Taseret. :) and was a good performance too! Even though not as great as Hayley Westenra's official version (who'll be performing at the finals). But amazing song.
We had this beautiful unique rendition to commence this amazing RWC...and then we had that horribly boring performance by Hayley Westenra to close it out. I damn near wanted to throw my shoe at the telly during Hayley's rendition.
@missownz You clearly don't understand what all it takes to be a good performer, anyone lip syncing on a live performance, is being fake. (not commenting on Ria, as this was surely a live performance)
Its live bro she's actually singing that u can hear her taking breaths in between words👍its soooooo good people think its pre recorded👎she's very good😄❤
just about cried watching this and seeing the late GREAT Jonah Lomu RIP
It’s 2019 and I’m always finding myself coming back to this beautiful rendition 😩✨ Proud to be a kiwi!! 🇳🇿
On the eve of the 2023 RWC Final this is still the greatest rendition of World In Union! Let’s go ABs
probably my favourite version of world in union
Still the best version! Can never get enough
I watch this a lot and seeing lomu every time makes me cry!!!
I feel like Igelese Ete played a big part in the production of this rendition 🥹🙌🏽 Ria gave me chills! She absolutely understood the assignment.
Definitely the best opening of any event worldwide in my opinion. So awe inspiring and spine tingling. Soulful, emotional and incorporating so much that is everything that is us, New Zealand, Aotearoa . Beautiful Maori/ pasifika vibe. Indeed makes me feel so proud to be a New Zealander..a kiwi.
So, so much has happened since this opening event. It is bitter sweet that I watch this in Dec 2021..I feel so moved by this but also a part of me is so sad that the NZ I live in today is not the NZ I grew up in. So much division esp between vax and unvaxxed...we were and I hope one day will be a World and a nation in UNION once again. God bless us all. Peace, love and respect and may 2022 be absolutely a better year for us all.
Man the organisers of this event did an incredible job, those singer's Ria hall the dancers the different ethnicities the Polynesian culture all summed up N.Z to a T,incredible choir singing and Ria was phenomenonal.
coming back in 2016 to see this. Jonah standing there made me cry
A moment of a lifetime, I will never forget this day even watching all the way from mangere 😂😍❤
Deadass one of the best if not the best rendition of the song. Especially loving the Pasifika flavour in it 😭😭
Brought a tear to my eye seeing my personal hero and favorite sportsman ever Jonah Lomu in there. RIP big fulla
I come here every year and listen to this. I wish this was on the offical album or just somewhere without the commentators voice in the beginning.
This rendition of World in Union will always be remembered as the greatest of all time, so much passion and mana behind it shows how harty us kiwis truly are.
Amaaazing! She really made me a proud Kiwi in 2011 all the way from UK! Love it Ria, tu meks!!
aww sweet sound 🖤🤍☝🏽 one mind one heart 100% 🧡💜👌🏼 Thank you xo
This ria has one of the most BEAUTIFUL voices ive ever heard
Brings tears to my eyes everytime lol. Such a moving performance.
I love how both cultures were put together :) was such a brilliant opening! :D
luvd it. so use to hearing ria just belt songs with justice, but this i found jus as beautiful as all other times ive heard her sing. evander was great too. cant imagine n e one else singing this but you two. kapai korua
Best opening.
Ria Hall has such a beautiful voice.Kapai Ria! ! I love my country!
+Jacui Tiera so does evander folau she have a strong voice
man you cant this anywhere else bt New Zealand. This is the best opening ever. Im proud to be maori and that this is my country.
This send shivers down my spine. So proud. So many good memories!
very proud to play a sport that unites the world
Ria Hall was sooo the best person to pick for this! Her Voice is sooo strong and beautiful! And she has the look and all. Maori Beauty :) MEAN MEAN MEAN. P.s thankis for posting lol :)
Kia Ora brothers and sisters!
Ria Hall released her EP of original material (both in english and te reo Maori) on October 3rd 2011. Subscribe to her youtube channel RiaHallNZ, it features snippets from her EP release gig and her Electronic Press Kit.
You can also download her music from iTunes.
Mauriora! Team Ria Hall x
great version of this song
I 1st heard Ria while back on holidays in Nz 2001? she sang on pokana forgot name of song? But top voice wahine!
The open ceremony was amazing.... best ever opening EVER ... good going nz... definitely proud kiwi, Always and will be kiwi at heart.... thanks for uploading this vids it definitely defines wat kiwis are about.... and it shows the different diversity of cultural and people................................For a small country we have definitely made this world cup the best one ever and lets not forget ... big congratz to the ALL BLACKS........
I get the chills every time i watch this so glad to be a kiwi
Its' so Awesome to see a Talented Maori Sister like Ria standing there representing not only our Country but th Tangata whenua, I reckon this is th best version of "World in Union" Ive heard! With th Pacific Flava I Love it! Defeinitly represents Aotearoa! :)
@Taseret28 lol I don't doubt you do know. She is performing live though so is that really all you wanted to know?! This ain't a case of Milli Vanilli cos it's still her voice regardless of whether she is singing here or not. =0)
I WAS WONDERING WHO SHE WAS OMMG RIA YOUR SO BEAUTIFUL! DAMN IVE BEEN AWAY FROM NZ TO LONG! LOLS NAAW I MISS NZ! GO ALLBLACKS!♥
Seeing Jonah Lomu made me cry! He's always been a great inspiration to me. I don't think England or Japan can top this opening when they get their chance at RWC. Hopefully by then I'm in an All Blacks, Manu Samoa, or Wallabies jersey.
OHMY saw ria lastnight at sisters 2011 AAAAAAAAAMAZING. tino ataahua te reo o to waiata ataahua!!
PROUD TO BE A KIWI , NOTHING LIKE HOME . LOVE NEW ZEALAND
This is truly beautiful!!!!
Makes me so proud to be a Maori :)
what an awesome song . beautiful waiata ..
This is on point 👌🏻
Beautiful
RIa your an idol to all maori wahine in AOTEAROA LOVE IT kia kaha
kiaora missownz, yes she is singing live...and i totally know where you are coming from too.. it sounds like a recording, fortunately it is actually her singing right into that mic live......
The opening was absolutely frikken spine tingling! I love being a New Zealander, always have, always will. AOTEAROA , All Blacks. All day :D
Superbe chanson et belle voix.
So much better than the snoozefest that is Hayley Westenra's version.
Proud Kiwi right here!!! AHHHHMAZING!!!!!
LOVE YOU MISS RIA HALL
@Toksta11 Nuh uh Evander Folau is just as awesome a singer too. Check out her TH-cam vids too. They both done well and the evening went well so I don't know what the big deal is. Awesome job ladies.
This makes me happy :)
ria is always live!!!
i still cant get enuff of dis version her voice is off da chain an how dae dun it was hellah cool
I pray for mother earth and her innocent children! God bless the good people!
how in the world could yu dislike this song !!!!!!!!!!!
Ria Hall ladies and Gentlemen! A real Maori girl singing for you, people! Masterful vocal kung fu! You beta ask somebody!!
damn beautiful
♥️♥️
i think that this is the best remix of this n.z u make me proud to be a kiwi and to be a maori .x (:
SHE IS NOT LIP SYNCHING!!!! its natural Ria Hall styles!!
No one will ever beat new zealands opening ceremony
@Taseret28 Is that important? It's definitely Ria singing. Check out her vids on TH-cam and you'll find out just how good she is.
AMAZING
THIS WAIATA/SONG ALWAYS MAKES ME CRY OUR WORLD NEED EVERLASTINH HEALING XOXOXOXOXOXO SUBBING NOW FROM BEAUTIFUL NEW ZEALAND (AOTEAROA)
badass...get familiar with this woman!!
Luv the vid
I was at the game. Like if you were too (it was AMAZING!) :)
great interpetation
I Swear thisz th BESTEST ever "World In Union" version :) and Evander Folauz my wifey lol
u should see it by haley person whoever she is
@missownz I'm sure she is good. I just wanted to know whether its live or not.
@Taseret28 definately lip synching. but still. her voice. amazing! you can tell by the quality of the sound.
@Taseret28 She is def lip synching but to a pre-recorded Live version. They do this to make sure mishaps dont happen (like Christina Aguilera singing the USA anthem wrong) also if you watch Whitney Houston's famous version of the Star Spangled Banner you will see that is also lip-synched. As you know, Whitney Houston (once had) a phenomenal voice so it was just for technical precautions. Ria Hall is also PHENOMENAL just look on YT to see for yourself.
woooow
@seabee008 thanks
@pacquiaovsmarquezIV don't know what Phnom Penh is?
I must admit she's pretty good singer
@Taseret28 It's all prerecorded.
thats one beautiful maori woman
@missownz it's Cambodia's capital
oh Lomu😦😭
@missownz Clearly you don't know what a disgrace it is to a singer to lip sync on a live performance. Whether it's her voice or not is not the matter. So " it's still her voice regardless of whether she is singing here or not. =0)" is pointless, because it matters.
But I can guarantee, that this is indeed a live performance @Taseret. :) and was a good performance too! Even though not as great as Hayley Westenra's official version (who'll be performing at the finals). But amazing song.
@deecrusader Yeah ok already - not everybody knows that as you can see!!
We had this beautiful unique rendition to commence this amazing RWC...and then we had that horribly boring performance by Hayley Westenra to close it out. I damn near wanted to throw my shoe at the telly during Hayley's rendition.
Aroha Mai .. Jonah :(
This rips Hayly westernra's version apart lol. Ria Hall, is like nz's best singer! well one of the best at least!
cant believe that she came to my kura
@Taseret28 live if it really matters
haha I totally understand Jonah. 2:25
RIA
LIP SYNC
Theres NO WAAAY she is Lip Syncing!
3:07 proves it! She starts to lose her breath!
So RIA = NO LIP SYNC
@TepaeruK hey yuo r right hard owt
3:31 shot eaa mike moka :)
@missownz You clearly don't understand what all it takes to be a good performer, anyone lip syncing on a live performance, is being fake. (not commenting on Ria, as this was surely a live performance)
evander folau is my cousin...........no lie....i love her
Shes a real good singer but her quick puffs in between lines can kind of cut into the song?
man she is a mean singer hard out (:
Is she lip synching or is it live?
Its live bro she's actually singing that u can hear her taking breaths in between words👍its soooooo good people think its pre recorded👎she's very good😄❤
The equipment they would of used for this performance was state of the art gear and it sounded amazing.
Gave me chicken skin when i was watching it in Queens warf with a thousand others.
Hayley Westenra sorry!