Rugby: Early tests no World Cup indicator

The All Blacks beat France by a record margin four months before their earliest World Cup exit against the same side. Photo / Brett Phibbs

It would be best not to make the age-old mistake of reading much into Rugby Championship results in respect of what they might mean at the World Cup.

The All Blacks in particular have a sad and painful record of looking a million dollars before the tournament only to then be well beaten at the World Cup by the same teams they were dominating.

There is no better example of that than 2007. In June, the All Blacks posted record wins against France. In October, France knocked them out in the World Cup quarter-finals.

In 2003, the All Blacks scored 50 points against the Wallabies in Sydney. On the same ground in November, the Wallabies were really the only team in the semifinal. The All Blacks, emphatic and deadly when it didn't matter so much, were tentative and careless when it did.

As further proof pre-tournament form isn't much of a guide, the Wallabies were crowned Tri Nations champions in 2011 after they beat the All Blacks in Brisbane. At Suncorp Stadium, the Wallabies were more physical, better organised and more clinical. They won well and looked a serious threat. But seven weeks later at Eden Park, the All Blacks blew them off the park physically and were sharper, faster and hungrier.

All of which means that if the All Blacks open their Rugby Championship campaign with a regulation win against the Pumas, it won't make one iota of difference when they next meet in London.

The Wallabies won the 2011 Tri Nations but lost their World Cup semifinal at Eden Park seven weeks later. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks open their World Cup campaign against Argentina at Wembley. It will be a world away from Friday's test. Playing in near sub-zero temperatures on a Friday night in Christchurch in front of 17,000 people is not at the glamour end of the scale as far as tests go. Conditions will be tough for both sides and the rugby won't be helped by the fact both are in the infancy of their World Cup buildups.

Come September, it will all be so different. There will be a world record crowd at Wembley, which holds 90,000 people.

Intriguingly the All Blacks' opening game has been one of the most over-subscribed in terms of ticket demand. The ground will be immaculate - firm and no doubt perfect for a fast and wide game.

Conditions, even in England, should be vastly better than they will be in Christchurch and then, of course, there are the Pumas.

They have become increasingly comfortable playing away from home and their recent World Cup record is good. They made the quarter-finals last time round - being defeated by the All Blacks at Eden Park - and were third in 2007.

For all their love of scrummaging and mauling, they have developed a running game that is better than many realise. What they will most likely do is keep their pass-and-catch game under wraps in Christchurch and play to the elements.

They will kick and chase, keep the ball carriers close to the breakdown and give the impression they are happiest in an arm wrestle. In England, they could surprise with not only their willingness but also their ability to shift the ball wide.

That's why it's never a good idea to get carried away at this stage. What is on view now is not what anyone should expect to see at the World Cup.