I'll predict the predictable in 3 out of 4 Q/F's; England, Australia, NZ; but France vs. Ireland has to be the "must watch" game of the quarters! Am I wrong in thinking that Ireland have had something of an Indian sign over the Frogs in the last few years? No way is this a foregone conclusion (I'll cordially disagree with Hrothgar here)!

England & NZ will be competitive but predictable results I think, Aust. predictable & comfortable (unless unquantifiable factors, such as weather, intervene), but France/Ireland ought to be a game & a half! I'll be cheering the Green! :)

What gets up my nose about this WC, though, is the condescension from the IRB. Rugby is clearly divided into 3 divisions. First, there's the old 5 Nations/Tri-Nations group that dominate world rugby & comprise the Quarter's this time round. Next, you have the second division sides - Samoa, Tonga, Argentina, Italy, & so on - that can upset the big boys on their day. Last, there is the valiant minnows; the Japans, USAs, Namibias, Georgias...

Why on earth are the amateurs, who can't possibly cope with the physical demands, asked to play 3 or 4 games within little more than two weeks? The "big sides" get far more rest between their games, & a senior IRB official happily admits that TV scheduling demands this. The IRB rolls over, & says that the next WC is unlikely to be any different. Fiji & Samoa may not even be able to enter the next WC for lack of funds, & the IRB chases TV money... Is it only me that sees a woeful inequality in this? Not only that, but ultimately it must be damaging to the notion of a "World Cup"?

We've had glorious mis-matches & glorious performances from the minnows. What's the point, if the minnows can't hope to progress? And given the patronising, favouring attitude of the governing body, what hope is there? Sad... :(