.....I'm rather pleased that the coverage thus far has been calm and considered.

My favourite games are always those group matches between the likes of the US and Japan or Romania and Namibia.
The Rugby League Cup was terrific for them with six teams in the tournament winning one and losing one in really tight games.

as *proper* football though is it?

All Blacks mess this one up, they will deserve to be known as chokers! I would love to see Ireland do well but their players have seemingly lost form. Maybe, it's all part of a cunning plan ?

New Zealand appeared to be head and shoulders above their usual rivals Australia, South Africa, England and France, but last week's defeat against the Aussies may have dented their confidence.

England and France blow hot and cold and South Africa don't seem as strong as usual.

I fancy Ireland to do well this time - I think the pre-season games will have brought them back down to earth and they'll be regarded as underdogs.

Wales have shown a vast improvement since the Six Nations and if they can get their line-out sorted and keep Adam Jones fit for the scrums, they could beat higher-ranking teams. I think they have to beat South Africa to avoid the Aussies in the quarter-finals though.

I reckon New Zealand will beat Australia in the final.

Far too much grunting and pushing for little end product....

that Ireland will bounce back, but it still won't be enough. Watched the Heineken Cup final and the Super 15 final back-to-back, and as a Leinsterman I hate to say it, but the gulf in class was and is simply huge.

Similarly, watched a woefully poor Ireland v England last weekend just after watching the stunning Bledisloe Cup match, where the Aussies swaggered past a technically superior NZ side.

Could the French, "on their day" as ever, do the same? Absolutely.

forget it, this RWC will be a chastening experience for us. Directionless, awful coaching has led us to this point. NZ to win (unless there's a choking problem), Eng to do surprisingly well.

Now that New Zealand's Next Top Model (Cycle 3) has finished, the Rugby World Cup is all over the local media.

I am getting excited - it should be fun. I genuinely hope New Zealand win for the long-term well being of my adopted nation. They should do (but then they always say that).

Looking forward to the visitors coming. Expect friendliness, expect to be talked to in bars. You won't get a better welcome anywhere else in the world.

will win it finally. Much as I love seeing them lose to the French every time, I think it will be their turn. They've had a tough year with the earthquake, it's at home and Dan Carter/Richie McCaw deserve a crowning glory to their careers. Great players.

Prediction: England, Ireland and Wales to go out in the group stage. Scotland, Italy and one from Fiji/Samoa to go through at their expense.

Winners? Not so clear cut for the ABs after the Tri Nations trot out. Here's the sitheref runners and riders:

ABs - in with a strong shot. The TriNations is either a dip in (relative) form, or may the kick in the pants they need.
Australia - if they can survive their invariably one crap game in each tournament, may be worth a crafty fiver.
South Africa - please God, no. It would set the cause of rugby back decades. Not playing well, and not playing nice rugby. And the Coach is an idiot.
England - semis, with the draw they have. After that? Who knows. The only slight problem is the midfield which is looking distinctly sub world class.
France - no chance. But I like to dream that somehow, one day, they'll just go "ah, eff it" and produce a tournament full of rugby like the game where they destroyed - absolutely DESTROYED - NZ

The rest, sorry to say, are nowhere. Ireland for the 1/4s, and one of Scotland/Wales for the 1/4s. One of the Home Unions is coming home embarrassed, and I'm concerned that it's going to be us (Scotland)

Fraser.. I'll see you in Wellington. I've got my ticket for Wales v South Africa pinned to my nose and cannot wait. Prediction? I have no idea. It's wide open. My heart says Wales thanks to a scorchio of a try in the final seconds courtesy of George North. My head says Australia. Or NZ. Or even England. South Africa looked very handy last week while France always turn it on when needed. Either way it's going to be momentous. My home town is hosting Georgia. All the local kids are welcoming them with the Haka. Big parade through town. Banners, flags and much joy. The only hotel in town is accommodating 200 Welsh visitors so I predict a drink or two. It might get messy.

whatever about the quality of rugby that followed it. There is the unappealing prospect of having to endure the marketing exercise that is the haka on a number of occasions over the next couple of months. Still, I suppose there's always a price to pay.

It is suddenly all starting to feel very real.

The premier trophy in rugby union being decided in the home of rugby union. Doesn't get better than this.

Bring it on!!!