I think South Africa and England look set to be heavyweights in this tournament but I have one concern for world rugby.
The All Blacks have not played well the last two years but having spoken to a few people around the ABs scene through my job I am almost certain that the All Blacks a preparing a nasty surprise for world rugby at this world cup.
My understanding is the All Blacks have spent the last 24 months working on a game plan for this tournament that was born out of the Lions series. They have refused to show anything strategy related in these lead-up games except for the 2nd half vs South Africa in the game which was a draw. If you rewatch that game you will see a clear difference in how the All Blacks played for 20 mins in that 2nd half.
- If you look back at that last game between South Africa and All Blacks, SA dominated the first half. Without giving to much away in the 2nd half the All Blacks sent pods of players at different numbers and angles on the attack. For the 20 mins they did this South lost control of the game and seemed powerless and All Blacks rolled upfield at will. Once they gained the lead they stopped playing this pattern and put it back in the pocket.
- Against Australia first game they played completely with no structure and then lost a man and continued playing the whole game with 14 players/structureless.
The world celebrated, believing the end of the All Blacks dominant run was here.
- One week later the AB's play with structure and fury. They wiped Australia out mercilessly and kept them to 36 - 0. It was a brutal killer display.
What I know is this. If the All Blacks will drop a game at this world cup, it will likely be the first game to South Africa. They won't show their tactics this early in the tournament yet.
Once the Quater finals are in action I am extremely confident you will see a very different All Blacks machine.
One that you have not seen in the last four years.
The race will be on to beat the clock for the other teams to work out and close down these new structures.
It is going to cause severe headaches and a lot of holes in defences.
Look at the All Blacks squad they have chosen. Look at how small and explosive their loose forwards are.
Look at every other side forward packs - bigger and heavier.
This is going to be extremely interesting!
I predict from the quarter finals you will see a devastating and ruthless ABs.
Let's see if I am right.
The world thinks the All Blacks Aura has been eroded. They know that and they may actually like that too.