Favorites All Blacks mix experience with youth

When it comes to predicting who will lift the Webb Ellis trophy, it is always hard to look past New Zealand. The All Blacks have long dominated the sport and are always tipped to go the distance on the biggest stage.

This year is no different, the defending champions boasting superb strength in depth and a ruthlessness to their play. However, there are cracks appearing in the impenetrable aura that surrounds the All Blacks.

A loss to Australia was a huge shock, the Wallabies taking the Rugby Championship in the process. Although the All Blacks mauled them a week later, a slip up in a winner takes all game was a shock for a team that for so long has been on top, the likes of McCaw and Carter boasting some of the biggest, bulging trophy cabinets in the game.

It is remarkable to look back four years ago to when the All Blacks won the last World Cup and see so many names on the team sheet this time round again. Even as far back as eight years ago in France and the same players will crop up again once more.

The current crop of All Blacks will go down as one of the best groups of players to play the game. However, they can’t go on forever. The exodus to France after the World Cup shows the players now their game time is limited, even the evergreen Richie McCaw has talked about hanging up his boots.

The question is, can the aging heroes do it again? The answer, yes. What separates New Zealand from a lot of other top international sides is the strength in depth. Although an All Blacks side without the likes of Nonu, Carter and McCaw seems unthinkable, the reality is the next global superstars will be waiting in the wings to step seamlessly into the squad, this is what has been at the centre of their dominance for so many years.

The recent announcement of Nehe Milner-Skudder is a prime example. For years Israel Dagg had a vice like grip on the fullback shirt. But, as his time at the top beings to come to end, Milner-Skudder bursts onto he scene. The 24 year old was given his debut in the loss versus the Wallabies, and just two games into his international career he looks set to be a superstar.

Slight, quick and with lightening feet Miler-Skudder already has two tires for the All Blacks and it is young quality like this that separated New Zealand from the rest.

After 2003 England struggled to fill the void left by Johnson, Wilkinson, Greenwood and Co. The same with the Wallabies after the Gregan era. New Zealand never have a tough season, a constant conveyor belt of talent, with the youngsters such as Brodie Retallic, Julian Savea and Milne-Skudder set to led the next generation forward.

The 2015 World Cup pool draw was kind to the defending champions. Up against Argentina, Tonga, Georgia and Namibia in pool three the All Blacks will be the favourites.

For Argentina it is a fantastic opportunity to get to the knock-outs. The Pumas are always crowd favourites and their inclusion in the Rugby Championship has seen them come on leaps and bounds, this season recording their first win over the Springboks.

Tonga will be looking to scrap it out with Argentina for the qualifying place. Big, fast and physical the Tongans will always be threatening. However, Argentina’s experience of playing regularly versus the Southern Hemisphere’s big boys should see them home.

The defending champions will go into the tournament as favourites, with the old wise heads looking for one last chance to prove just how good they are. This year has seen slips, and the veterans will be pushed to the limit. But with the exciting blend of this experience with the x-factor of their youth and it is very hard to see anyone but McCaw get his mitts on the Webb Ellis trophy.