Which team is going to win the rugby world cup and why?

Question

I personally think the All Blacks will win it if they can hold their nerve but may struggle with the rush defence from Australia and South Africa. I would like to hear your thoughts...

Answer 1

The All-Blacks are brilliant by far the best team in the world their forwards are probably the best pack in the world including teams like Italy and Argentina who are renowned for their forward play while their backs are comfortably better than all their rivals and then of course they have Dan Carter, undoubtedlythe best player in the world, he just oozes class.

Yet I don't think they will win the World Cup, there is just too much pressure and expectancy and I predict that this burden will get to them and they will slip-up. Their group also does not help them if they had France or even England in the group they get have their slip early lose to either france or england and still win the the tournament, however with the group the have no matter how bad they play they will still win all their games.

So who will take the crown, in my opinion there are 3 viable alternatives France, S.Africa and Ireland. Recent performances from Australia may suggest they should be in there but I on a personal level remain to be convinced.

France are the second favourites in my opinion, they have the players if they can just get it together and play as a cohesive unit. just look at the record of previos host of both football and rugby world cups, it makes a massive difference, france can certainly ein RWC 2007.

S.Africa have to be contendors just on the individual strengths of their players, try making a team of the best players in the world and you will probably find a large number of South Africans making the cut, people like Habana, Smit, matfield,Botha, Burger and Du Randt deserve to contend for a world cup.

Ireland inclusion in my list probably stems from a liitle bias(i'm Irish) however I do have a case to back back up my inclusion of the Green Army, I think Ireland can beat Nz, Nz win games but subdueing their opponents in all areas of the field and while i think the all blacks are superior in most areas most notably probably the scrum, there are two pivotal areas where I think Ireland are stronger than Nz, firstly in the centre i believer O'Driscoll and D'arcy can dominate whatever pair the All-blacks come up with, the second area of the field where i think Ireland may be stronger is the second-row, if I am right Ireland have the potential to win the pivotal line-out battle.If they can win these two key areas ireland do have a chance against the All-blacks not something too many teams can say!

(sorry about spellings, don't have time to correct, just ask if something is unclear)

Answer 2

South Africa - very strong team with strong defense

Answer 3

If they don't choke like, ah, 1991-1995-1999 & 2003, without any doubt All Blacks will win their 2nd WC.

Wallabies also have more than a decent enough chance of winning.

Springboks with their "resting of players" strategy, who knows.

Answer 4

England have a good chance but no as good as 2003

Answer 5

I think the All Blacks. They have the best all round game by light years. Plus they should be more hungry to prove they are the best rugby team to the rest of the world .

Answer 6

Wales. They nearly beat Australia with a crappy team, so their full team have the world cup in the bag.

Answer 7

The only teams with a chance are the All blacks, Wallabies,Springboks and France. Of these teams I think the AB's will take it out

I don't think you can say that the All Blacks choked in 1995. I think they did a dam good job considering they were poisoned by the South africans.