Les Bleus to rule their roost?

It is very difficult to get away from the fact that New Zealand are the best side in the world right now. They play a different brand of rugby from any other team, that utilises all 15 men on the pitch, and they have lost precisely the same number of matches that Sir Clive Woodward's England did ahead of the last jamboree in Australia in 2003 - five. Whether anyone would fancy placing their child's university fund on the All Blacks at a best-priced 4/7 though is another matter. True, Graham Henry continues the luck of Kiwi coaches having fudged another ludicrously easy Pool with Italy, Scotland and some minnows not worth mentioning. It is about as surprising as a long white cloud in New Zealand therefore, that the Kiwis are as short as 1/5000 with Ladbrokes to make the quarter-final. It's just that 4/7 is not an appealing price for most punters despite being a more than fair assessment of the team's chances. We won't get rich backing 4/7 shots, but we might die trying by betting on 8/1 chances, to paraphrase. At 8/1, France look the best value out of all the potential challengers. They have the benefit of home advantage - something that is worth at least a penalty head-start in every match, and they have a good record at home to all teams, except those dreaded Kiwis again. On second thoughts, let's back Les Bleus each-way, and cross our fingers that Henry's annoyingly good squad fall by the wayside like they did in 2003 against Australia. Mind you, France also unexpectedly beat them 43-31 in that magnificent semi-final in 1999, and we can't forget Francois Pienaar lifting the Webb Ellis trophy after New Zealand reportedly ate a dodgy meal in 1995. Suddenly, it doesn't look like we need to be so lucky after all, although let's be honest, the food tastes pretty good in France... The top tryscorer market looks a carve up between the two All Black wingers Sitiveni Sivivatu and big Joe Rokocoko. These two have the best try-scoring ratios in the world and play for the team who scores the most tries. It looks a no-brainer really, especially as free-scoring France look to be in a tough group with Argentina and Ireland. Spare a thought for Australia though, who must surely be annoyed at playing Wales in Cardiff. The Aussies have a good record of scoring tries and punters could do worse than consider the merits of their bulky winger Lote Tuqiri, and perhaps full-back Chris Latham, who memorably scored five tries at the last tournament. Verdict: 2pts France E/W @ 7/1 (SportingBet) (Editor's Note: Can New Zealand fail on the big stage again? Follow all the betting action on the Rugby World Cup with SportingBet!)