THE whole of New Zealand is desperately praying that their 20-year nightmare is about to end. South Africans are thrusting out their chests, tossing a few "I'm telling yous" here and there, and demanding that everyone within listening distance knows that this is the year of the Springbok.

The mischievous French are sucking hard on their Gitanes and laughing at the commotion. They know full well the importance of home advantage, and how a simple shrug of the shoulders can disorientate so many visitors in their part of the world.

And the humble Australians are going on and on about how they are just going along for the ride, to compete, and hope that the All Blacks again get the yips, so that for the second time running the Wallabies will appear in the World Cup final, and not the highly fancied New Zealanders.

This is without doubt the lowest-quality World Cup tournament on record, with the general standards of the teams below that of 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999 and 2003. But that has not diminished the interest.

The All Blacks clearly look the strongest World Cup favourite in history. They have depth in numbers, the best players in so many positions - in particular in the crucial No.10 and No.7 spots - have the form on the board, and possess a vast array of game plans to suit every situation.

However, what brings them back to the pack is that every four years they lose their composure, and fumble the opportunity of at last having the William Webb Ellis trophy back in their grasp.

By now they should have been three-time World Cup champions, but the exasperation of only boasting one trophy, which occurred in the inaugural tournament, has been a result of repeatedly losing their composure in major finals appearances.

So the tantalising element about this World Cup is whether the All Blacks can at last overcome the Greg Normans.

Can potential at last be fulfilled?

Again, it could all hinge on an anticipated semi-final appearance against Australia in Paris on October 13. The Wallabies have a way of getting under the All Blacks' skins, and every New Zealander knows that, as they cast their memories back to 2003 and a certain wacky midfield pass from Carlos Spencer and a certain inspired length-of-the-field intercept try scored by Stirling Mortlock. But the big question is whether the 2007 Wallabies are as potent as the 2003 squad.

The big fear is that this time around the Wallabies could suffer the same plight as the 1995 team in South Africa. That year, the Australian selectors made the fatal error of selecting too many players who were either on their last legs, or carrying injuries. This led to the highly embarrassing moment of the Wallabies leaving at the quarter-final stage, and on the way home meeting an abundance of Australian fans in transit at Perth airport, who were heading to the Republic in the hope of some nationalistic joy.

The reception the players received from those fans, who had already paid their hard-earned for basically nothing, has never been forgotten by those involved.

This year, the Wallabies selectors have taken the same course - being overly conservative, choosing numerous players the other side of 30 who are making their farewell appearances in the green and gold, and having several players who were attempting to pass fitness tests shortly before the team flew out.

History does have a way of repeating itself, and that's why this World Cup has a tantalising touch of mystery.

Drama and high emotion are inevitable.