The All Blacks will take the Webb Ellis Trophy by beating South Africa in the final to avenge their 1995 extra-time loss ito the Springboks.

In Pool A, South Africa will advance undefeated, while England will follow an easy win against the USA with a thumping from the Springboks, and hold on against Samoa and Tonga to advance.  Samoa will flirt with advancing, but ultimately will not sustain a full 80 minutes against England on September 22 and will go home with wins against Tonga and the USA, who will battle each other fiercely to take away a lone victory.  I think the Eagles will surprise Tonga on the 12th.  South Africa and England advance.

In Pool B, Australia will overcome an inspired Wales to add to easy victories over Japan, Fiji, and Canada, none of whom will rise up to knock off Gareth Jenkins' dragons..Japan will go home without a victory, while the Canada-Fiji match should be fun to watch.  I pick Fiji to come out on top.  Australia and Wales advance.

'Provided they play attacking defence, Daniel Carter is still healthy, and their centres resist the temptation to make 50-50 passes, the All Blacks will keep the Springboks on the back foot'


In Pool C, the All Blacks will find no serious challengers, although the September 23 match in Edinburgh should be magical.  One of the most significant opening-round matches will come on the 29th, when Scotland and Italy battle for advancement, with the Scots coming out on top.  Portugal should be thrilled to be in the pool, and will fall to Romania and the rest.  New Zealand and Scotland advance.

In Pool D, we find hosts France opening the World Cup against up-and-coming Argentina. The Pumas will put on a great show, but France's home field advantage will be simply too great.  With Georgia and Namibia as warm-ups, Ireland will face France on the 21st and Argentina on the 30th and will fall just short of securing victory in either one.  France and Argentina advance.

In the quarter-finals, then, we will see Australia defeat England and the All Blacks overcome Argentina on October 6, followed by South Africa beating Wales and France triumphing over Scotland.  Into the semi-finals, then, will go the Tri Nations plus France, where New Zealand will avenge their 2003 semi-final loss by dominating the Wallabies and South Africa will repeat their 1995 semi-final victory over France.

Provided they play attacking defence, Daniel Carter is still healthy, and their centres resist the temptation to make 50-50 passes,  the All Blacks will keep the Springboks on the back foot and fulfil their destiny as the best team in rugby.

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