Not sure how much of a rugby contingent we have on PW these days. It was pretty sparse in the good old days so we'll see.

We're in Japan for rugby's showcase over the next six weeks. Competing in what has been heralded by many as a wide open tournament, here are your contenders:

New Zealand - Kinks in the armor of the seemingly invincible All Blacks has been the defining factor in the media calling this event wide open. They are still the best, and if they play at the peak of their powers they will win. But they suffered a record defeat a few months ago in Australia and perhaps the aura isn't quite what it was.

South Africa - The antithesis of All Black rugby. They kick for field position whenever they can, tackle hard with a strong rush defense, and play simple, through-the-phases rugby. If the kicking game clicks and the defense plays as it can, probably the second best team.

England - Big, talented squad that can beat anybody on their day. Biggest question is game management and playing under pressure. Modern English rugby has hardly seen more talented players. By the same token, hardly ever in recent memory has English rugby had so few leaders to depend on. Not talent-deficient in any area but they need to win big games.

Wales - Winners of the Grand Slam in Europe this year, they have a winning habit that is proving tough to break. Not the most talented group of Welsh players you'll ever see but full of leaders. In Warren Gatland they probably have the best coach in European rugby. A nice blend of experience and youth, they'll fancy their chances. Poor record against Southern Hemisphere is improving, but may prove a hindrance.

Ireland - Two years ago would have comfortably been second favourites after winning the Grand Slam and beating the All Blacks twice. Now the consensus is they are aging, and that perhaps the World Cup has come two years too late. Key players are past their best but if they can find something, they are a fearsome side to face.

Australia - Written off not too long ago, slipping to a record low in the world rankings. Handed the All Blacks a record defeat, inspiring renewed faith in the fabled Wallabies. Plenty of offensive talent, but questions remain over the set-piece and the discipline of this squad. Israel Folau is nowhere to be seen following the homophobia controversy, and he, arguably the most talented full-back in world rugby, leaves a gaping hole.

France, Argentina and Scotland are your (big) outsiders. Early results saw a nervy Japan eventually put away a stubborn Russian side, Australia were behind until almost the hour mark against Fiji before turning on the after-burners, and France edged Argentina in a game that went down to a 53 yard shot at goal, which the Pumas missed.

Thoughts and predictions please.

I'm what you would call an extremely casual Wallabies supporter. I go to the odd game, I'll keep out for the odd Queensland Reds or Wallabies scoreline just to remind myself how bad they are and I'll listen to my mates constantly complain about how bad the selections are. However, I haven't been keeping up at all and couldn't tell you much outside of the return of James O'Connor, the Israel Folau controversy and the selection of Fijian speedster Marika Koroibete on the wing. Only then, it's because I followed him when he came through the Wests Tigers and Melbourne Storm Rugby League side.

Still, I'm game to talk any form of Rugby so I'll keep a closer eye and even catch a replay of the Wallabies/Fiji game. I'm not confident of the Wallabies chances, but they have a history of causing upsets in the World Cup and they are coming off that stunning upset in the Bledisloe (before the All Blacks corrected the order of things).

So those are my thoughts, as far as predictions go, I just presume the All Blacks are going to continue winning everything but that's based on nothing but the past two World Cups.

Definitely going to try and find at least channel in that will cover this in the US. Last World Cup I was able to watch entirely on my TV was 2003 when England won. That one was definitely kickass.

Just finished up the Wallabies/Fiji game.

From an Australian perspective, I thought they were guilty of starting the game like they were wearing dinner suits. They thought it'd be be a micky mouse affair and after the early charge down maybe that re-enforced their belief. However, they kept playing lateral footy and made it easy for the quick outside defenders for Fiji. If the Fiji side has one advantage, it's their wing men. I'm not familiar with Tuisova, but Radradra was the most lethal winger of the past decade in the NRL and he could strike from anywhere on the field. Never the less, everytime Australia went wide they'd concede a turn-over and their kicking game only served to bring the powerful back three of the Fijians into the game.

When they started to play through the middle with short passes that was when they started having success. I thought outside of the line-outs which were poor from the Wallabies, the forwards did their job through the middle and they were an integral in the victory.

Still, Fiji made the most of Australia's slow start and put on a handy 21 points that made things interesting. Australia always looked likely, but once they brought Genia on, they found more direction and the service from the ruck was generally crisper. It took it's toll on the Fijian defence and when Botia went into the sin-bin the game opened up for Australia allowing them to put on two quick tries before adding a third when they had all the momentum.

It was far from a convincing performance, but Australia were able to avert a potential disaster. Fiji proved how lethal they can be, but they're just lacking the depth to be among the top tier nations. That was their warning shot, next week it's gut check time against Wales.