Suspect the collywobbles will again hit the odds-on favourites? Think again, writes  Phil Wilkins.

It is 20 years since David Kirk held up the Webb Ellis trophy for New Zealand as winners of the inaugural World Cup after their 29-9 defeat of France in their temporary Garden of Eden in Auckland.

Since then, defeat in the most crucial of games and national depression have been the pickings, resulting in the suspicion that the World Cup tournament holds a jinx, a curse, or, worst of all, that the All Blacks crack under the burden of their country's expectations in the final hour of rugby's four-year cycle.

The question then before France 2007 is: will they reproduce another throat-slitting climax to their haka and, in the process, metaphorically cut their own throats in the World Cup?

Strangely, although Kirk, John Kirwan and Michael Jones all scored tries in the 1987 final, it is the action of France's rangy breakaway Eric Champ moments before kick-off which rolls aside the two decades more vividly than incidents from the game.

Watching the All Blacks preparing to perform the haka brought out the Frenchman's most combative Gallic instincts.

As the All Blacks began their chant, Champ started marching forward until, by the time the haka was reaching a crescendo, he was so close it seemed one punch from the foaming Frenchman would detonate a riot.

Ultimately, Champ managed to keep his fists to himself. New Zealand leapt skywards and went on to claim the final and the trophy.

Today, for all of history's shunning of the All Blacks since that rain-spattered afternoon, they warrant their odds-on favouritism to win the World Cup in France.

They are the holders of the Bledisloe Cup and Tri Nations titles. Unbeaten at home in the past two years, they travelled to Rustenburg in South Africa last year with the Tri Nations trophy already under lock and key and striving for their 16th successive Test win. But the All Blacks were there physically, if not in spirit, their minds already winging their way home over the veld and back across the Indian Ocean. They lost 21-20.

During their end-of-year tour of Europe to England, France and Wales last November, New Zealand inflicted a 41-20 defeat on the World Cup holders England, prompting The Times to lament: "Has any side in any sport ever worn the robe of champion with such lack of distinction, such plain straightforward embarrassment? Alas, the side that plays in England shirts these days is simply not the world champion."

The New Zealanders then flogged France 47-3 in Lyon, and completed the two-Test series against the World Cup hosts with an uninspiring but still comfortable 23-11 win in Paris. They will be back at Stade de France for a World Cup semi-final.

The All Blacks capped their tour with a 45-10 defeat of Wales, leaving the rugby world winded, down on one knee, if not down and out of the World Cup.

Since, of course, Jonny Wilkinson has returned to the international fray for England after three years of injury and illness, so perhaps no team is safe.

The All Blacks were unbeaten this year until they met Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at the end of June. In a game which rejuvenated international rugby, Australia won 20-15, a win in no small part attributable to the absence of tight-head Carl Hayman after a yellow card offence.

Consider their bullet-hard pack, from hookers Keven Mealamu and Anton Oliver, to their props, Carl Hayman (see sidebar), Tony Woodcock, Neemia Tialata and Greg Somerville, through their lineout jumpers, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson and Ali Williams, to their back-rowers, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo, they have size, brutal strength and experience.

There seems no weakness. They have the bullocking veteran Byron Kelleher and the younger, speedier Brendon Leonard at halfback; a match-winning five-eighth in Daniel Carter, who kicks goals from anywhere, and a fine understudy in Nick Evans; crack centres in Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister and Conrad Smith; powerful wingers in Sitiveni Sivivatu and Joe Rokocoko; and for fullback the choice of Mils Muliaina or Leon MacDonald. There are world-class players front and back - and all are hungry.

All along, coach Graham Henry has remained the man with tunnel vision, focusing solely on the World Cup, removing 22 players from the first seven rounds of the Super 14 tournament for specialised preparation, and experimenting with his Test team with as much temerity as astute judgment.

Frankly, if New Zealand have their normal share of good fortune and avoid major injuries on the run-in to the final, the All Blacks will elbow aside rivals and Doubting Thomases alike with their theories about big-match temperament, and win the World Cup for the second time.

They are certainties. But then, I thought that about them last time.

THE SQUAD

Forwards: Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Reuben Thorne, Sione Lauaki, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Keith Robinson, Carl Hayman, Neemia Tialata, Tony Woodcock, Anton Oliver, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Greg Somerville. Backs: Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Isaia Toeava, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Aaron Mauger, Daniel Carter, Nick Evans, Byron Kelleher, Andrew Ellis, Brendon Leonard.