Sportsvibe’s Rugby World Cup Team to Watch

Regardless of who ends up with the Webb Ellis trophy at the end of the next six weeks in the Land of the Long White Cloud, we can be assured of some scintillating rugby from some of the sport’s biggest names.

Just as everyone else seems to be, here at Sportsvibe we are bursting with anticipation. In fact, we’ll be happy if we haven’t burst a blood vessel by the time the tournament finishes.

We wouldn’t be punters without picking a fantastical Sportsvibe XV (with a little home nations bias) before the start of the action, though, so here you are:

Tighhead Prop: Adam Jones (Wales). A hairy rock you’d certainly trust in the trenches, Jones’ fitness is a big bonus for a Welsh pack who would be on roller-skates without him at scrum-time.

Hooker: Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa). Abrasive and uncompromising, du Plessis has gradually, yet violently wrestled the number 2 jersey away from Springbok skipper John Smit since making his debut in 2005.

Loosehead Prop: Cian Healy (Ireland). An eye problem means he misses the first game against the USA but will be fit for the showdown with Australia. Hulking presence in the tight, a menace in the loose.

Second Row: James Horwil (Australia). Few will forget him shouting into the Brisbane night as the Queensland Reds triumphed in the Super 15 final against Canterbury. Has ridden that wave to become Aussie skipper.

Second Row: Brad Thorn (New Zealand). Gnarled beyond belief, Thorn has a huge heart and puts in a seemingly endless amount of graft every time he takes the field. Doesn’t mind laying ugly foundations for the pretty boys outside him.

Blindside Flanker: Sean O’Brien (Ireland). A mountain of muscle whose marauding displays for Leinster are beginning to be translated on the international stage.

Openside Flanker: Sam Warbuton (Wales). Led Wales superbly in the warm-up double-header against England. More showings like that and his name will be uttered in the same breath as Richie McCaw. Turns 23 during the tournament.

Number Eight: Sergio Parisse (Italy). Always a token pick from the smaller nations for things like these, Parisse does far more than make up the numbers. Still not yet 28 despite being one of the premier back-rowers of the decade. Silky handling ability, pace and bulk make him a fascinating specimen in broken play.

Scrum-Half: Will Genia (Australia). A sniper extraordinaire, Genia keeps defence coaches in employment with his constant probing around the breakdown. All the more dangerous when those outside him are fizzing.

Fly-Half: Daniel Carter (New Zealand). Unquestionable. Although Quade Cooper will do some breathtaking things over the course of the tournament, Carter will not have a bad game. Just too good.

Inside Centre: Ma’a Nonu (New Zealand). Has married his awesome physical presence with some deft passing skills over the past couple of years and is now a truly phenomenal attacking force.

Outside Centre: Manu Tuilagi (England). England’s wildcard will cause a few headaches as an attacking weapon, and a great deal of rib-ache as a defensive one. A tiger cub ready to roar on the big stage.

Left Wing: Israel Dagg (New Zealand). It is a mark of how highly-rated he is that Mils Muliaina will sit out the opener against Tonga. Prodigious talent, comfortable in most backline postions and, as Graham Henry says, has shaken off injury "remarkably."

Right Wing: Chris Ashton (England). Perhaps the most intelligent support-runner in the game and certainly one of the deadliest finishers. Can be responsible for adding a sharp point to England's midfield battering rams.

Fullback: Kurtley Beale (Australia). Electric performer. Leading light in a very bright year for Australia rugby. Winner of the John Eales medal. Enough said.