All you need to know: Pool C, Rugby World Cup

Pool C, L to R: Agustin Greevy, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Jacques Burger, Mamuka Gorgodze, Ma'a Nonu. Photos / Getty, NZ Herald

Read more about the Rugby World Cup pools: Pool A | Pool B | Pool C | Pool D

New Zealand

Ranking: 1

Coach: Steve Hansen

Captain: Richie McCaw

Previous campaigns
1987: 1st
1991: 3rd
1995: 2nd
1999: 4th
2003: 3rd
2007: Quarter-finalists
2011: 1st

Overall record: P43 W37 L6

Odds $2.35

Full squad
Forwards: Tony Woodcock, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano, Brodie Retallick, Richie McCaw (c), Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Victor Vito.

Backs: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara, Tawera Kerr Barlow, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Beauden Barrett, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Nehe Milner-Skudder.

How they qualified: Automatically as defending champions

Key player: Ma'a Nonu - If Nonu fires, the All Blacks are halfway there. He was one of the All Blacks' best in their recent demolition of Australia - scoring two tries - and can take the heat of his first-five with his blockbusting running. A consistently classy player.

All Black Ma'a Nonu. Photo / Brett Phibbs

World Cup high: Their two victories, with the latter in 2011 probably taking precedence because of the 24 years and so much heartbreak since the 1987 one.
World Cup low: The quarter-final defeat to France in Cardiff in 2007 was a particularly bitter pill to swallow.

Did you know: The 1987 World Cup All Blacks were billeted with local families rather than staying in hotels during the tournament.

They will be happy if... Nothing short of a win will be acceptable to both the players and fans. That's the reality of playing for the All Blacks. The aim once the pool matches are complete is to treat the knockout matches as separate entities. In other words, they are not taking anything for granted, but overall victory is the aim.

What we think will happen: They are favourites and are tough to bet against, although that hasn't stopped a Kiwi punter shelling out $130,000 on them to lose. If things go their way, they have the squad to win it.

Argentina

Ranking: 8

Coach: Daniel Hourcade

Captain: Agustin Creevy

Previous campaigns
1987: Pool
1991: Pool
1995: Pool
1999: Quarter-finalists
2003: Pool
2007: 3rd
2011: Quarter-finalists

Overall record: P30 W15 L15

Odds: $41

Full squad
Forwards: Matias Alemanno, Marcos Ayerza, Agustin Creevy, Matias Diaz, Juan Fernandez Lobbe, Ramiro Herrera, Facundo Isa, Tomas Lavanini, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Pablo Matera, Julian Montoya, Lucas Noguera Paz, Javier Ortega, Guido Petti, Leonardo Senatore, Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro.

Backs: Horacio Agulla, Marcelo Bosch, Santiago Cordero, Tomas Cubelli, Jeronimo De La Fuente, Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino, Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Imhoff, Martin Landajo, Matias Moroni, Nicolas Sanchez, Juan Pablo Socino, Joaquin Tuculet.

How they qualified: Automatically qualified after finishing second in their pool in 2011 behind England.

Key player: Captain and hooker Agustin Creevy is a hard-working player with a low centre of gravity. He scored two tries against the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship this year.

Agustin Creevy of Argentina. Photo / Getty Images

World Cup high: Their best ever tournament was in 2007 when they topped the so-called pool of death by beating England and Ireland and defeated Scotland 19-13 in the quarter-final. They were eventually beaten 37-13 by South Africa in the semifinal but rallied to thrash France 34-10 in Paris to win the playoff for third and fourth.

World Cup low: They failed to win a match in 1991 but were in a tough pool with Manu Samoa, Wales and Australia.

Did you know: Argentina are known as Los Pumas, but their emblem is actually that of a jaguar.

They will be happy if... They push the All Blacks close in their first match and come second in the pool. It would set up a possible quarter-final against Ireland.

What we think will happen: They do that but are outgunned by an Ireland team, ranked No 2 in the world, who are riding high on both confidence and support.

Tonga

Ranking: 11

Coach: Mana Otai

Captain: Nili Latu

Previous campaigns
1987: Pool
1991: Did not qualify
1995: Pool
1999: Pool
2003: Pool
2007: Pool
2011: Pool

Overall record: P21 W6 L15

Odds: $1001

How they qualified: Finishing third in pool in 2011 was enough for automatic selection.

Squad

Forwards: Tevita Mailau, Alisona Taumalolo, Soane Tonga'uiha, Halani Aulika, Sila Puafisi, Elvis Taione, Paula Ngauamo, Aleki Lutui, Tukulua Lokotui, Joeseph Tiuneau, Steve Mafi, Opeti Fonua, Hale T-Pole, Nili Latu, Jack Ram, Viliami Ma'afu, Sione Kalamafoni.

Backs: Sonatane Takulua, Samisoni Fisilau, Sosefo Ma'ake, Kurt Morath, Latiume Fosita, Sione Piukala, Siale Piutau, Viliami Tahitu'a, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Telusa Veainu, Tevita Halaifonua, William Helu, Vungakoto Lilo.

Key player: Former Highlander Fetu'u Vainikolo, now at French club Oyonnax, is a powerful ball carrier on the wing.

Fetu'u Vainikolo of Tonga. Photo / Getty Images

World Cup high: No question, it was beating France 19-14 in Wellington in the last World Cup, a stunning result against the eventual finalists.

World Cup low: The 101-10 thrashing by England at Twickenham in 1999.

Did you know: Former Chiefs and Highlanders centre Siale Piutau is Charles Piutau's brother.

They will be happy if: They beat Georgia and Namibia handsomely and push Argentina close.

What we think will happen: Tonga will handle the two minnows, but the Pumas will strangle their ball supply through their pack.

Georgia

Ranking: 14

Coach: Milton Haig

Captain: Mamuka Gorgodze

Record
1987: DNQ
1991: DNQ
1995: DNQ
1999: DNQ
2003: Pool
2007: Pool
2011: Pool

Overall record: P12 W2 L10

Odds: $5001

How they qualified: By topping a 31-team European qualification series, winning nine games and drawing with fellow qualifiers Romania.
Squad

Forwards: Mikheil Nariashvili, Kakha Asieshvili, Simon Maisuradze, Shalva Mamukashvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Davit Zirakashvili, Dudu Kubriashvili, Levan Chilachava, Giorgi Chkhaidze, Levan Datunashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Kote Mikautadze, Mamuka Gorgodze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Vito Kolelishvili, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Lasha Lomidze.

Backs: Merab Kvirikashvili, Beka Tsiklauri, Giorgi Aptsiauri, Sandro Todua, Tamaz Mtchedlidze, Muraz Giorgadze, Giorgi Pruidze, Davit Katcharava, Merab Sharikadze, Lasha Malaghuradze, Lasha Khmaladze, Giorgi Begadze, Vazha Khutsishvili, Vasil Lobzhanidze.

Key player: Captain Mamuka Gorgodze has spent more than a decade in France's top 14 - becoming a fixture at Montpellier before signing for European champions Toulon - and the back-rower is also his country's all-time leading try scorer with 22.

Mamuka Gorgodze of Georgia. Photo / Getty Images

World Cup high: Georgia have won only two games at the Rugby World Cup and their first victory, a 30-0 thrashing of Namibia in 2007, will long be treasured.

World Cup low: Their first ever game, however, did not go quite so well, being humbled 84-6 by hosts England in 2003.

Did you know: Georgia are known as the Lelos, a nickname derived from a folk sport called Lelo Burti that shares traits with rugby.

They will be happy if... They repeat their handsome victory over Namibia from eight years previous and avoid too much embarrassment elsewhere.

What we think will happen: A staunch forward pack should limit the damage against Argentina and Tonga, but their encounter with the All Blacks will be both one to remember and forget.

Namibia

Ranking: 22

Coach: Phil Davies

Captain: Jacques Burger

Previous campaigns
1987: Did not qualify
1991: Did not qualify
1995: Did not qualify
1999: Pool
2003: Pool
2007: Pool
2011: Pool

Overall record: P15 W0 L15

Odds: $5001

How they qualified: By earning Africa's solitary qualification place, shrugging off an early 57-54 loss against Madagascar to earn their spot ahead of runners-up Zimbabwe.

Squad
Forwards: Johannes Coetzee, AJ de Klerk, Jaco Engels, Raoul Larson, Johnnie Redelinghuys, Casper Viviers, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Janco Venter, Tjiuee Uanivi, Renaldo Bothma, Jacques Burger (c), Wian Conradie, Leneve Damens, Tinus du Plessis, Rohan Kitshoff, PJ van Lill.

Backs: Eneill Buitendag, Eugene Jantjies, Damien Stevens, Theuns Kotze, Darryl de La Harpe, Johan Deysel, JC Greyling, Danie van Wyk, Conrad Marais, David Philander, Heinrich Smith, Russell van Wyk, Chrysander Botha, Johan Tromp.

Key player: There's only one possible choice. Captain Jacques Burger, who plies his trade at Saracens, will be attending his third World Cup after being named by the IRB as one of the top five players of the 2011 tournament.

Namibia captain Jacques Burger. Photo / Getty Images

World Cup high: Basically a task in picking the best in a bad bunch. Their 32-17 loss to Irealand in 2007 was the only time Namibia's margin of defeat was fewer than 20 points.

World Cup low: This one's much easier to select - Namibia's 142-0 loss against Australia in 2013 is the biggest losing margin in tournament history.

Did you know? Namibia have never won a game at a Rugby World Cup, playing more matches (15) without a win than any other nation.

They will be happy if... They break their duck. Hell, if they manage to sneak past Georgia, they may earn a parade when they return to Windhoek.

What we think will happen: There will be no parade. In fact, depending on what mood the All Blacks are in, there could instead be another record.