KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks have the fire-power out wide, the skill in the forwards and the management team in the background to beat anyone at the World Cup.
Five former All Blacks spoken to by nzherald.co.nz agree the Silver Fern will be on the winning side's jumpers come the October 21 final at Stade de France.
MARK ALLEN
The All Blacks have been labelled scratchy but the tag is unfair, said Allen.
New Zealand will be far too strong for the French whose World Cup was over on day one when they lost to Argentina, he said.
"The way they play the game, no one else can play it like we do and the things that we can do are the things that will win the World Cup."
Allen said he hopes the French compete because the All Blacks need a test.
Fiji making it through to the quarters is a pleasant surprise with everything else being "ho-hum", Allen said.
Allen said there's a lot of talk about reducing the World Cup but Fiji's exposure will grow the game.
He said the trouble for Fiji will be their set pieces.
"Unless you've got a good line-out or scrum, you're dog tucker."
Allen said they won't beat the South Africans.
The eight-test All Black prop is hoping England can put up a fight against the Wallabies but the Australians will be too strong.
The most exciting game is the match-up between Scotland and Argentina and it's hard to pick, he said.
He said Argentina should take the win and make the semi-final.
Final Prediction
All Blacks versus South Africa and the old saying of: "One is as good as 100" applies.
VA'AIGA TUIGAMALA
Rugby has benefited from the strong games from the so-called "minnows" who have tested the big sides and Fiji making it to the quarters shows that.
"What Tonga has done for the game is just fantastic. They stood up against the Goliath," Tuigamala said.
Fiji are the quiet achievers while Tonga has taken all the lime-light. When the Fijians take on South Africa in their quarter final, they need to play their own natural game, he added.
"There's nothing more exciting than seeing a Fijian run down the sideline," he said.
Tuigamala said history wont repeat itself when it comes to the All Blacks playing France.
"France haven't stepped out and their shock loss to Argentina will be in the back of their mind," he said.
He said the French are not good tourists and playing in Cardiff, without their home ground support and the Welsh backing the All Blacks, the men in Black will win.
He said Graham Henry has prepared a well-oiled team and the "choker" tag is unfair.
The Australians will beat England in the replay of the 2003 final with the Wallabies strong backline likely to be too much for England.
In the fourth semi-final , the Pumas will over-power Scotland because they're the in-form team, Tuigamala said.
"They've got no respect for any opposition. In the way they came out and destroyed France in the opener, it just goes to show that these World Cups are the greatest opportunity to ruin other teams' parties," he said.
Final prediction
All Blacks versus Argentina. "All Blacks will win. They will fire and explode. They will not make the same mistake as they did against France in 1999".
MARK HAMMETT
The All Blacks have benefited from the tournament being held a month earlier than usual and the game against France will be a "biggie".
"In 1999, France almost lost to Fiji and then they played us and we all remember what happened then," Hammett said.
He said the French are unpredictable and passionate and if they "hit their right day" then it could be difficult.
Hammett said the All Blacks haven't been tested and that is a worry.
Fiji deserve to be in the quarters but they are the surprise of the tournament. He said the conditions suit their side with nice hot weather.
"But South Africa will just physically dominate them," Hammett said
Australia will be too much for England although "England will try and beat them up."
When it comes to Scotland versus Argentina, Hammett said, "you'd put your money on Argie for that one".
Final Prediction
South Africa versus All Blacks and the score: "I don't really care as long as we win it".
KIERAN CROWLEY
Picking the All Black back line is a hard call but the Taranaki coach said it would all depend on the opposition and whether or not everyone is match fit.
"I've always been a big fan of Conrad Smith but he hasn't played a lot of rugby," Crowley said.
He said ideally he would put Mils Muliaina at full-back and have McAlister alongside Smith in the centres.
"There's a lot of different combinations," Crowley said.
He said the up-coming French game makes him a little nervous but it's pleasing that the quarter-final is not in France.
"I'm going to be loyal, it will be the All Blacks by 10 or 12 points," Crowley said.
He said the Fijians have done well and played like the Fiji of old against Wales. "They chucked the ball around and had a go, (but) in the end South Africa will be too much."
England have been disappointing but if it's a wet game and Wilkinson is involved, then they could come close against the Wallabies, otherwise the Australians will take the game.
In the fourth quarter final, the Argentineans will be too combative for the Scots.
Final prediction
South Africa versus All Blacks "and I don't actually care what the score is, as long as we get home".
FRED ALLEN
Allen said the All Blacks are looking good but he's still weary of the Springboks.
"France are a brilliant side but they can fall apart. I think the pressure in our forwards will be too much," Allen said.
The former All Black player and coach said Henry has a hard choice in who to pick but it's a nice position to be in.
"I can't see Australia or England causing us any problems," Allen said.
He said the Argentineans are a funny side but are dedicated and put their bodies on the line.
Allen said the Pumas will beat Scotland and make it to the semifinals.
Final prediction
South Africa versus All Blacks. "It will be pretty close, somewhere in the vicinity to 19 - 14.
YOUR PREDICTIONS
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.
