Following my attempt at naming rugby's Best World XV of all time, I decided to draw up a best 2007 World Cup XV before the  tournament has begun. The big question is will this Southern Hemisphere-dominated side flourish in the tournament, spelling doom and gloom for the northern half of the globe? The current ratings suggest the Southern Hemisphere will thrive with three semi-finalists. 

I have looked at individuals rather than actual combinations, especially at half-back and centre. This team obviously depends on the style of game to be played but these are the best players I expect to see at the World Cup - even though several of them were rested during the recent Tri-Nations series.  

With the standard of the game in the Northern Hemisphere dwindling, the All Blacks, as Tri-Nations champions, predictably have a lion's share of the players.

'It is such a difficult choice not picking Brian O'Driscoll, but I think Mortlock will thrive in the World Cup'


Chris Latham (Australia, fullback): The elusive Wallaby will hopefully hit the ground running in France. With a prodigious left boot and ability to break tackles, he is the best fullback if fully fit.  Mils Muliaina and Juan Martin Hernandez  deserve honourable mention.

Joe Rokocoko (New Zealand, wing): One of the most agile, big and strong wingers in the world, Rokocoko possesses great speed and a nose for the try line. He just gets the nod over All Black team mate Sitiveni Sivivatu, who is also devastating, and the inconsistent Rupeni Caucaunibicau, who is off the charts but so unreliable.

Bryan Habana (South Africa, wing): Habana is electric with his amazing speed and eye for the intercept. Hopefully South Africa will get him some quality ball and create plenty of space to utilise him.

Stirling Mortlock (Australia, centre): Showed in the Tri-Nations how amazing he is. He is strong on attack, breaking tackles and on defence. His leadership and ability to read the game give him this position - and he also kicks goals. It is such a difficult choice not picking Brian O'Driscoll, but I think Mortlock will thrive in the World Cup. I rate both of these players equally highly, but because Australia will go further in the tournament I give Mortlock the spot in this two-horse race.

Matt Giteau (Australia, centre):  It is important to have an inside centre who can read the game well and has a powerful kicking game. Giteau forms a formidable combination with Mortlock and seems to have so much time, which is a sign of a great player.  Jean De Villiers, Yannick Jauzion, Gordon D'Arcy and Luke McAlister made this position a close-run thing.

Daniel Carter (New Zealand, fly half / first five-eighth): Carter pulls the strings for the All Blacks and is a maestro. He is strong in the tackle (unlike many other contenders), fast and ghosts through the gaps in the opposition defence. He's deceptively strong and has the knack of scoring tries.  A fully-fit Jonny Wilkinson would push Carter close, while Felipe Contempomi, James Hook and Ronan O'Gara are other quality halves.

Augustin Pichot (Argentina, scrum-half / halfback): In an underrated Pumas team, Pichot gets this role with his tactical nous and brilliant pass.  He gets the nod over South Africa's Fourie Du Preez, who will stun the World Cup with his explosive speed.

Jerry Collins(New Zealand, No.8):  So devastating as a ball runner and defender. He is usually found on the side of the scrum, but with an improved passing game and speed, Collins is good enough to make more of a fist of it than when he first started there.  South Africa's Pierre Spies would've been close to selection if he wasn't injured, while Rodney So'ioalo, Wycliff Palu and Ryan Jones are contenders.

Richie McCaw (New Zealand, flanker): The best scavenger in the world, McCaw plays a dangerous game so close to the offside line. He gets valuable turnovers and is always there to support his team-mates. These qualities earn him plaudits from some and hatred from opposition players and fans.  Australia's George Smith is another quality flanker.

Schalk Burger(South Africa, flanker): Like a wild animal with his lack of respect for both his opposition and his own body.  He is an arch-rival of McCaw, but combined, these two will be deadly.  Burger's blond locks flowing make this agile and dynamic flanker a noticeable force on the field. 

Victor Matfield (South Africa, lock) -:Matfield is a great leader for the Springboks and an amazing ball winner in lineouts and  restarts.

Nathan Sharpe (Australia, lock): The Wallaby lineout is brilliant and Sharpe is a reason for this.  He has really blossomed with experience and is one of the premier lineout forwards in the world.  He plays in an embattled tight five but still comes out with credibility.  Chris Jack, Marco Bortolami, Paul O'Connell and Fabien Pelous are also worthy of this spot.

Carl Hayman (New Zealand, tighthead prop): The All Black rock is highly-rated - and with plenty of justification.  The All Blacks have such a strong scrum.  Hayman also provides great lineout lifting and agility around the paddock.

Keven Mealamu (New Zealand, hooker): Plenty of conjecture over the hooker role but the All Black nugget gets the spot ahead of his countryman Anton Oliver, John Smit, Raphael Ibanez and Mauro Ledesma.  Mealamu is amazing with the ball in hand and will probably come off the bench during the World Cup, but he is equally comfortable starting.  He is remarkably strong for his size and fine in the scrums too.

Tony Woodcock (New Zealand, loosehead prop):  The underrated loosehead is actually an amazing scrummager and very agile around the paddock.  Other props include monstrous Andy Sheridan and veterans Os Du Randt, Phil Vickery and Pieter De Villiers.