Australia:
potentially the best team in the world at the moment (excluding Ireland, of course), Giteau is on fire and has been for the last 18 months or longer, easily the best player on the planet right now, with the only one who could rival him being Rocky Elsom (another Aussie). Elsom was the heart and soul of Leinster winning the H Cup, such athleticism and power and pace I've never seen before, he destroyed England for the Barbarians at Twickenham last month too, once he's back they'll be a great unit, I have very good time for Robbie Deans too. He'll have his mark set on that team, I think they'll win the tournament.
NZ:
It's hard to know. It think there's quite a few weak or average players on the AB's at the moment, which there's not been in a while. Scott Donald cannot kick, so obviously DC's return will be key so it's hard to judge them without him at the moment, not sure when he's back though from his achilles, probably too late is it? They'll just be trying to get things together after the exodus to theNOrthern Hemisphere and trying to bed back in the likes of McAllister. Corey Jane's impressed me a lot lately incidentally, Nonu remains a powerhouse, but a brainless one. They were pathetic against France in the two friendlies last month, but then they did beat the Wallabies last month so maybe I'm blowing the Wallabies too hard and not giving NZ enough credit.
South Africa:
I don't rate them. Never have, never will.The Lions were poorly selected and had no confidence, and nobody will ever win a WC as easy as the 'Boks did.
End of tournament:
1. Aus
2. NZ
3. SA
