KEY POINTS:
It's only weeks away from the Rugby World Cup and we want to hear your predictions of who will win. Who do you think will be in the final and what do you think the score will be?
We'll run your predictions online and you could be the winner by picking the right score.
The winner gets to the right to call themselves the Rugby Brain of New Zealand... and our sports team at nzherald.co.nz will also rustle up a prize for the most accurate prediction.
Here is the latest selection of Your Predictions:
Gary (South Africa)
Wake up guys. ABs are too tense & will implode, just like cricket in The West Indies. Springboks have what it takes, with 3 great international coaches [Jake White, Eddie Jones, Clive Woodward]. Boks are playing a home tournament considering time-line & travel time, as compared to ABs & Wallabies, who have to travel half-way round the world,& then over the equator to the top. The Boks have a stunning team, & will wipe away all before them, just like Jonah Lomu did in his time. The writing's on the wall. Keep your tissues & Toohey's close at hand. If the ref plays fair, there'll be no stopping the Boks. Final: Boks 26 - ABs 9.
Graeme
The All Black problem is the amount of pressure that they take into each world cup. The entire country expects them to win. That is why Australia has won two. They have no where near as much pressure and just get on with playing the games. I don't think they will win this year either, for that reason.
Bull in Suva
New Zealand All Blacks is the team to beat and they will definitely win the final of the Rugby World Cup 2007 and the score will be 35 to the All Blacks and 10 to whatever team reach the final with the All Blacks. Go the Blacks.
Cam (San Francisco)
The last two world cups saw us play a fullback at centre in the game we lost, not this time we have quality backups in every position (one reason Henry refuses to play Mils at centre). All Blacks by 12 Points over South Africa
Simon (Darwin, Australia)
I have liked the way the AB coaches have dribbled out some of their W/C plays in amongst the games during the tri nations. The AB's will either play Ireland or France in the final with the AB's to win by a margin of 3+ tries. My dark horse will be Argentina. SA and Aust to struggle. Thank you ball boys.
Sesenta y cuatro (Spain)
What I would expect:
Pool A) South Africa will be first and England second.
Pool B) Autralia will be first and Wales, runner up.
Pool C) All Blacks shall be winners and Italy ahead of Scotland
Pool D) France shall win and also Argentina will pass on.
In QF, Australia will defeat England easily (this time) New Zealand shall get rid of Argentina, although it shall not be easy. South Africa will prevail over Wales and France shall dominate Italy. In semi-finals, the All blacks shall at last take revenge over Australia (and I consider this will be a very tough match) and France will be ahead of South Africa. In the final, against France we will prevail, more easily that we would think, and the All Blacks shall raise as winners after 20 years.
Dankaz (Sydney)
The European teams don't have the grunt nor the gas to stay with our boys, except maybe for the French who are always unpredictable (1999). The Aussies have good experience and the passion but are too predictable. My biggest fear are for the South Africans whom in my opinion are just as ruthless and accurate as our boys when they field there best team. For the final of course the all blacks are sure to be in it, but I would favour them playing the French for a win by 15 points, if however they meet the South Africans, all blacks by 7.
Jumbo (Hamilton)
The Last 2 world cups we expected the Blacks to win. However they did not reach the final. In 95 we did not expect NZ to win, but they would have done easily if half the team hadn't been poisoned. In essence if we do not expect the Blacks to win they should do OK. Though do not under estimate the Ozzies remember we have never beaten them at the World Cup.
Mark (Auckland)
I don't think that All Blacks will win this year. I know how great our form during the Lion series and some other previous matches before, but during the tri-nations you can see how we handled all our matches. Chances of being in the semi-final is there, but being in the finals is different. There are only two teams who can spoil our party and that is South Africa and Australia.
Peter (Brisbane)
Should see ABs, France, SA and Oz reach semis with AB's and I hope France in the final. A fitting final I would have thought with lots of atmosphere and lots of running rugby. If it is an AB vs A final, it won't be as entertaining - but should be a delight for the aficionados of forward play! And the score will be lower, of course! My prediction, AB's to win against France, 32 to 15.
Ngatoko (Oregon, USA)
Clearly, the All Blacks will be finalists in France, and will win by 30-21. their opponents? South Africa, who won against the abs in Rustenberg last year and came close again this year during the tri-nations campaign, but ran out of steam. They have the best locking duo in Victor Matfield, the king of disruption, and Bakkies Botha, and timidity is not their thing. South Africa is notorious for off-the-ball antics, they are astute in their percentage play, and are as maniac l as we are. However the men in black have demonstrated their abilities and shown remarkable improvement with each test, and will be victorious at the final whistle. What may be of concern is the referee for the final- lets hope it's Jonathon Kaplan (if SA is not in the final), as he understands the game and allows fluidity, and governs with fairness and without haste. Just listen to his calm and quiet demeanour as he calls the front rows together in the crouch, touch, etc, sequence. If not Kaplan, then Joel Jutge, an impeccable referee who also allows a flowing game to develop. kia kaha All Blacks, your day of glory is upon you, and I will stand by the team no matter the outcome. Thank you for making the heart huge.
Fili (Sydney)
For some reason Ireland will be the dark horse. Therefore I'm predicting an All Blacks vs Ireland final, with the All Blacks triumphant and reigning supreme once and for all.
Score: All Blacks 37 Ireland 9
MVP: Richie McCaw. Player of the Tournament: Daniel Carter
Rugby Mama Mia (Auckland)
Surely the Mighty All Blacks will trounce the Springboks in the final 27-12.
Trev (Cape Town)
The All Blacks will win the World Cup beating France in the final 28-13.
Terry Dublin
All Blacks to reach the Final if they meet France/Argentina in Cardiff. Ireland though have a great shot at winning. Better scrummage than this time 14 months ago. Along with SA the best locks in the world. Plus seeing as centre play is now so important A very classy centre combination.
1. Ireland. 2. NZ 3. Australia. 4. SA.
Rbrownprop (Carlsbad, USA)
1995 redux in part; the Blacks win by two tries.
David (Auckland)
Final: All Blacks 32 South Africa 18
Sox (Te Atatu North)
NZ 26 SA 15
Bounty
New Zealand 27 South Africa 13
Justin
The Aussies or South Africians will win, New Zealand does not have the passion and drive to win, look at the netballers, any sport we play Australia we mostly lose, because we are taught to participate and it's not all about winning. I am off to the tab to bet any other nation to win the world cup other than New Zealand at $2.50, what a great bet. Passion is what New Zealand needs not talk.
"Pepe" (Auckland)
I believe that South Africa having a wildcard "Andre Pretorius" waiting in the wings can sway any game and on a good day he can disrupt the likes of Dan Carter and sway possession and territory in South Africa's favour. I would like to see an All Black - South African semi-final and a France - Wallaby semi-final with the two winners contesting the 2007 Rugby World Cup final. I also believe that South Africa will win the 2007 world cup.
Pete.G
My, prediction is France in the final against the all blacks, I remember a totally committed French side wrecking the john hart coached ,99 All Blacks, South Africa will be extremely tough to pass in the semi- final, however with their current coaches present defensive attitude, & game strategy, they should be beaten semi-finalists, All blacks should just beat a powerful French pack by 10 points, with Dan Carter having one of the gr8t 1st five games, perfect timing,& a 100 per cent kicking game, if all the other All Blacks play to their potential we cannot be denied.
Edward Martins
All Blacks to beat Australia 25 - 19. South Africa knocked out in the quarters.
Aaron (Pukekohe)
All Blacks 34 France 12 in the final.
Chelsea bootboy (London)
Henry, Smith, Hansen & Lochore have got it right this time. The R & R policy will pay off. We have the right players in the crucial positions and I believe we will peak at the right times - quarter, semi and final. They have not shown any of their important cards during the French tests and the Tri-Nations but come the knockout games we will be back to the form we showed in the Lions series and the November tests in 2006. We have the ability to tear teams apart in the tight or if we move it out wide. My 2 concerns would be decision making at halfback and experience/physicality at centre. Weepu is very hard done by and I would have taken Tana across. Mortlock is outstanding and will play a big part when we meet the Australians in our semi-final. South Africa will try to maim Carter/McCaw if they get a chance. We will need Anton, Robinson, Carl H, Woodcock & Jerry C to get some retaliation in first! I have a lot of Pommy workmates reminding me of our 20 year drought. I continually remind them that we were poisoned by the Blockheads in 1995 and the in 2003 we had a cartoon character as coach who for some reason choose too many Cantabrians and left out all our champions players!
Bruce (Sydney)
The All Blacks will not win. Their recent record shows they struggle overseas without the intimidation of referees by highly partisan home crowds. They may beat Italy, but that's about it.
David Haines
2007 World Cup Final - All Blacks 27, France 19.
NZ
ABs vs South Africa. Score 18-12.
Matt (Auckland)
South Africa and the Aussies in the final South Africa wins 26-21.
Auckland/N.Z
All Blacks beat South Africa by 1 point. 24-23 at least.
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