We can only assume Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was foxing last weekend when he changed a winning team and got walloped 41-13 by the All Blacks at Eden Park.
Because if he had named his strongest team - including loosies David Pocock and Michael Hooper and handed a starting role to Matt Giteau - the score probably would have been a lot closer.
Pocock and Hooper are why Australia will be such a threat at the World Cup and should win the so-called pool of death. And in Israel Folau, Henry Speight, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Tevita Kuridrani the Wallabies have some quality outside backs.
I'm picking England to struggle with the hype and expectation and a coach in Stuart Lancaster who doesn't seem to know what his best backline is. They might sneak second in the pool, though, which leaves Wales as the big casualty. They will be under enormous pressure to impress against Fiji, who have the potential to cause a massive upset. The opening game between England and Fiji also has the potential for a boilover.
One problem for the Wallabies could be Quade Cooper. He will be a liability should they reach knockout matches.
