Group D

Favourites: NEW ZEALAND

Despite the narrow defeat against England in Wellington’s ”Biscuit Tin”, the All Blacks must start as favourites. They were supposed to co–host this World Cup and anger over that debacle will lie behind their performance here. Unbelievably, they haven’t won the World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987. Expect that to change on November 22 in Sydney.

Captain: Bearded Reuben Thorne looks like a film star and plays like Terminator. Strong in the tackle, dogged in the maul, useful in the line-olut he’s also quite capable of running the ball like a back.

Coach: John Mitchell: Made his name as Clive Woodward’s No 2, he was under some pressure after the June defeat against England. The Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup has been won since and he’s the darling of the nation.

Prediction: Nobody will stand in their way. They’ve been blessed with the weakest group of all, the big one will be the semi-final against Australia if everything goes according to plan.

Second: WALES

Yes, the side beaten 43-9 by England’s reserves really could still reach the quarter-finals, where they will be thoroughly stuffed in Brisbane by England’s first team. WATCH OUT FOR: Under pressure New Zealander Steve Hansen resigning as Wales coach after that quarter-final – or before that, if they somehow fail to get that far.

Third: ITALY

Italy have been a bit of a disappointment since their opening Six Nations win over then-champions Scotland in 2000. John Kirwan is the latest All Black in charge of the Azzuri. His aim has to be a win over Wales in Canberra on October 25. WATCH OUT FOR: Fly-half Rima Wakarua. As the name suggests, he’s a converted Kiwi and Kirwan may throw him in at the deep end. He’s never played in the top division in Italy, let alone at international level. By with Diego Dominguez retired, they need a fly-half desperately.

Fourth: CANADA…

… though they too could compete for a quarter-final spot. They beat Scotland 26-23 in 2002 and reached the quarter-finals in 1991. They can battle a bit too, as they showed the South Africans in 1995, when three were sent-off. WATCH OUT FOR: Flanker Al Charron, another veteran heading for his fourth World Cup. At 37 he’s one of the oldest at this one.

Fifth: TONGA…

… though they can’t be written off in this group either. Like neighbouring Pacific islands Samoa and Fiji, they’ve had to leave two players in the English Premiership because they can’t afford to pay their wages. Perhaps the three should combine to form a sort of rugby-playing West Indies. Still, on their own Tonga, the nation which gave birth to Jonah Lomu, have a reputation for fierce tackling and hard running which could shake Canada and Wales. WATCH OUT FOR: Japan-based Pierre Hola scored a record 44 points, including a perfect 17 from 17 conversions, in the 119-0 win over Korea.