WillGreenwood

Pool A

Winning in Wellington in 2003 was one of the highlights of my career but, generally, New Zealand don't lose at home. That's one of the reasons they're 1.76 favourites to win the World Cup and 1.12 to win Group A. Those odds are justifiably short. The bettor's instinct is to look for value but I don't see any in this Pool. Yes, New Zealand have choked in the past but they win comprehensively early on. They've always had power and dynamism and now they're a highly intelligent team too. France 7.0 have a great performance in them, and they have upset the All Blacks in previous tournaments, but I expect them to finish second and save their heroics for later. For Tonga, Japan and Canada, playing against the hosts will be a great learning experience.

Pool B

One of the main reasons for teams to win their Pool is to avoid New Zealand in the quarters and semi-finals. England 1.36 have extra impetus as they don't wish to meet the hosts in the next round. Of course, if you want to win, you have to beat the best, but it's still better to meet them later rather than sooner. I'll look ahead to England's opener next week but I expect the Red Rose to win and emerge victorious from Pool B. After that, it's Argentina 6.8 or Scotland 5.8 - the game between them on September 25 will be pivotal and, although I do think Georgia could cause both teams problems, it will determine who goes through. At this stage, I'd back the Pumas.

Pool C

This Pool is all about Australia 1.25 and Ireland 4.7. I like the Aussies at the moment and Robbie Deans has assembled an exciting squad. David Pockock is a spectacular talent, who can match New Zealand's Richie McCaw, and new captain James Horwill could prove to be the player of the tournament. Ireland still have the hex on winning in the southern hemisphere. To beat Australia you need to destroy them up front and Ireland don't have the pack to do that. The Wallabies backline is full of wizardry and, given the chance, Digby Ioane and James O'Connor will run riot. I'm backing Australia to win Pool C with Ireland going through as runners-up.

Pool D

Wales 5.3 need to bring their body armour and hard hats if they are to emerge from the Group of Death. It's going be super tough for Warren Gatland's men but Sam Warburton is a class act, an excellent choice as captain, and they should have enough to get through. Just. Gatland must motivate his players to approach the World Cup as a knock-out tournament. In the past, they've been sloppy in the Pool stage and only woken up in the last eight. With Samao 16.0 desperate to progress, there's no time for a slow start and the match between the two sides on September 18 will be tight, decisive. South Africa 1.29 may have had a poor Tri-Nations but Peter de Villiers' squad boasts star names and his policy of resting them might yet pay off. They will go through as Pool winners.

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