KEY POINTS:
SCHALK BURGER
SOUTH AFRICA
Jean Pierre Rives, the great French flanker, was easy to spot on the muddiest day, with his mop of blond hair. So, too, with the robust Springbok, capable of spreading havoc through the opposition.
Burger's career was in danger when he suffered a bad neck injury last year. But he's back, as committed as ever and has a critical role to play in South Africa's campaign.
The Boks aren't short of decent loose forwards but Burger stands supreme, a ferocious tackler with good ball skills and if he gets offside with referees, he's not alone in that among the flank fraternity.
Burger has played 33 tests since marking his debut against Georgia at the last Cup and his try off the bench was the first of nine he has scored for the Springboks.
He's no benchman these days. If he's on top of his game, South Africa will be formidable.
BRIAN O'DRISCOLL
IRELAND
The Irish skipper is the game's peerless centre, fast, elusive and a totally-committed defender.
Invalided out of the Lions tour here two years ago at the start of the first test, he took the incident to heart. Returned to lead an Irish side who lost twice to the All Blacks in tight contests in 2006 but could have won either match.
He's a Dublin boy, from the famed Blackrock College and forms a tough midfield combination with his Leinster teammate Gordon D'Arcy, the axe to O'Driscoll's rapier.
A Bayonne fist, belonging to former Auckland B player Mikaera Tewhata, briefly threatened to end his Cup before it began a couple of weeks ago.
At 28 and with 75 caps won over an eight-year career, this Cup should see O'Driscoll at his zenith. The All Blacks in the quarter-finals in Cardiff? Be sure he'll be up for it.
MATT GITEAU
AUSTRALIA
An argument could be made for the importance of a handful of Wallabies - Stirling Mortlock, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, George Smith.
But the one bloke who cannot be adequately replaced is the mercurial, versatile Giteau. Why? Because he's the one back who can provide the zip, the unexpected, which can catch defences off guard. He's been nicknamed `Kid Dynamite' and with good reason. Oh, and he's a pretty handy goalkicker too.
He was there four years ago, scoring four tries in six appearances. He's been tried at halfback, can do a job at No 10 but second five-eighth is his best spot and coach John Connolly should resist the temptation to tinker.
Giteau is 24, has played 47 tests since his 2002 debut and is in his prime. He is an essential component in Australia's plans to lift the Webb Ellis Cup a third time.
JONNY WILKINSON
ENGLAND
England won't arrive the most convincing of defending cup champions. They have lost a swag of players since 2003 and have some big men up front but are missing the hard, ruthless edge provided by the likes of Martin Johnson and Richard Hill and, until recently, sightings on international match days of their premier No 10 have been as rare as the blue-toothed yeti.
Injuries have blighted Wilkinson's career since that November night four years ago when his drop kick in extra time nailed the title.
He scored a tournament-high 113 points in six games, including eight dropped goals. Now he's back and, as he showed on his return during this year's Six Nations, it's as if time has stood still. He still kicks goals as if it were rugby's simplest job.
If Wilkinson stays fit, England, whatever their failings elsewhere, cannot be counted out of the reckoning. He's THAT important.
FREDERIC MICHALAK
FRANCE
He was the French pin-up boy four years ago but froze on the biggest night as England trounced France in a rain-sodden semifinal in Sydney. Now he's 24 _ he'll turn 25 four days before the final _ has 43 caps to his name since his debut six years ago and, not unlike Giteau, has a key which can unlock defences. He has always played for his home town team Toulouse.
For a time, there was debate whether No 9 or No 10 was his best position. His return from injury against England this month ended a 16-month absence. And if you want to know how French coach Bernard Laporte rates Michalak, there's your answer. Michalak is Laporte's big punt.
