KEY POINTS:
There are plenty of people predicting that last night's clash between the All Blacks and South Africa could be a dress rehearsal for the World Cup final later this year.
Others reckon France might be involved, maybe Australia - and I quite fancy the look of Argentina, although I wouldn't be too sure they are a potential winner.
Interestingly, few people are backing England. Interesting because in every World Cup the holders have still been rated when they came to defend the trophy four years later.
England, though, have dropped from No 1 in the world in 2003 to No 7 and have struggled for form, leaders and consistency for much of the cycle.
They took a couple of big hammerings from South Africa in early June, but let's be fair, they travelled without a multitude of frontline players who were left at home to rest.
Having been in South Africa this week for the Tri Nations clash, I have picked up a clear sense that people are worried about the Boks underestimating England.
England and South Africa are in the same pool at the World Cup and it's obviously going to be critical to win the group.
England coach Brian Ashton recently announced his extended preliminary squad and, as predicted by the press, recalled former captain Lawrence Dallaglio. The 35-year-old was a World Cup winner in 2003, was a Lion in 1997, 2001 and 2005 and has a bucket-load of experience.
During the early part of the English club season, Dallaglio struggled a bit and didn't look worthy of a test jersey. But come the business end he showed his worth, particularly in the Heineken Cup final where he gave a very strong 50 minutes in a game that had the intensity of a test. That was enough to convince Ashton to include him in the wider group because the coach knows that England have been short of leaders in recent years, on and off the field.
Sides that have won World Cups share a common thread of strong leadership and experience. In 1987 we had David Kirk, there was Nick Farr-Jones in 1991 and a host of mature South African players in 1995 who had played with each other many times.
John Eales led the Australians in 1999 and then there was Martin Johnson in 2003 - strong leaders and just the right sort of people to get the best out of others.
And that is exactly the type of personality England need in their squad right now. I suggested recently that England had too many fatties. Essentially, what I was getting at was that the players need to take responsibility and put the hard work in.
In 1995 Laurie Mains told us we had to be the fittest and fastest to play the type of rugby he wanted and the type of rugby that would best suit our strengths.
Ashton has a vision and wants certain types of players, but they have to prepare well and commit totally to the cause. The World Cup is like the Olympics - it only comes around every four years so you have to be in peak shape and really manage your preparation so you don't leave anything behind at the tournament.
England have good players and they are flying under the radar at the moment, which is why I wouldn't write them off. They will probably take the view that if they can make the semifinals in 2007 they have done really well and will be in good shape for 2011.
And the other thing is, if they can make the semis, anything can happen.
