Sir Clive Woodward believes the way Japan beat Ireland – with pace and tempo – makes the All Blacks favourites to take out the Rugby World Cup.
Woodward, who coached England to their only World Cup triumph in 2003, said Japan's upset 19-12 victory over one of the pre-tournament favourites Ireland on Saturday showed the importance of playing the game with pace.
"Japan played at an extraordinary tempo, recycled the ball incredibly precisely and if any side can do that for 80 minutes it makes them nigh on unbeatable," Woodward wrote in a column for the Mail on Sunday. "I don't think Ireland will have experienced anything like that before and they had no answer.
"That's the reason why, after the first round of matches, I make New Zealand slight favourites to win this World Cup because, of all the established teams, it is the All Blacks who consistently play at pace."
Woodward said Japan's pace of play, both in terms of speed on the feet as well as speed of thought, set the template for success at this year's World Cup.