KEY POINTS:
The All Blacks have developed depth by taking a long-term view when selecting teams during the build-up to the World Cup, Kieran Crowley said.
The former full-back said it was important that the team didn't worry about "the prize at the end" and instead concentrated on the process
of getting there.
"It's a world competition and you've got the best teams there. You only need one bad day at the office and your competition is over," Crowley said.
He said France will be a huge challenge in front of their home crowd.
"And you've got your traditionals like South Africa and Australia. It's all down to one lot of 80 minutes and teams can get up for that. From the quarter-finals on it will be like a final," Crowley said.
He said the knock-out stage of the tournament is not always fair but there has to be a knock-out format.
He said England, Ireland and Argentina can't be written off.
And Crowley said he would like to see a Pacific team do well.
"They're always exciting to watch but I can't see any of them making it to the top eight. I'd love to see someone do that because that would lift the excitment factor," he said.
Crowley said the French will likely be the ones to meet the All Blacks in the final but it depends which French team "turns up".
Crowley said the French have developed some structure and consistency through new players.
"But I think the French can still attack from anywhere," he said.
Final Prediction
New Zealand versus France
New Zealand to win by "as long as we get there, 3-0 will do me".
Kieran Crowley's All Black career
(Source: www.allblacks.com)
Full Name: Kieran James Crowley
Born: August 31, 1961
Position: Fullback
All Black Debut: October 29, 1983
Matches: 35
All Black points: 316pts - 13 tries, 36 conversions, 61 penalties, 3 drop-goals
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?
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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.