KEY POINTS:
It has taken what feels like an eternity but finally, we might be about to enjoy (possibly) a weekend of real-deal rugby. Having endured months, even years, of rotation and dilution, the cut-throat World Cup quarter-finals have arrived.
New Zealand v France
Bernard Laporte takes some beating
when it comes to eccentric rugby planning but at least the All Blacks have given the French coach a run for his money in Cardiff.
After years of meticulous approach work, Graham Henry goes into the most important game of his career with an eleventh hour centre selection in Mils Muliaina, a lock in Keith Robinson who breaks down more than a Middle East peace conference, and without in-form wing Doug Howlett altogether. Huh?
So much for the master plan, although it's nothing a bit of press conference blarney couldn't sort out.
France have followed suit by throwing in rookie first five-eighths Lionel Beauxis and a new fullback in usual centre Damien Traille.
It begs the question: what were all those international selection shenanigans about for the past four years?
Those who giggle at the age of the England team can have a guffaw at a French starting pack which is a touch older than the English eight who will run out against Australia. Little wonder then that Laporte is planning around a relentless kicking game.
Prediction: The lineouts are a visit to the roulette wheel for the All Blacks but they hold all the chips elsewhere. Without the Parc de France stirring France on, this should be a stroll in the park for the All Blacks.
England v Australia
Australia lost a lot of the neutral vote when their boss John O'Neill opened his gob wider than usual and declared that "we all hate England". Hate? Strong stuff Jonno.
So come on England ... although it's hard to see their ponderous game prevailing against the inventive Ockers. The Aussie runners have got more angles than a Sydney tabloid and should have a field day against an English defence which is having trouble papering over its cracks. And George Smith versus the English fetchers doesn't bear thinking about - the breakdown will be more like a meltdown for England.
Fitness alone will tell in this game - expect the Wallabies to give no quarter in the final quarter.
England must turn the game into a rolling maul to take Smith out of the equation and save their lungs. They'll give it a good crack, but don't expect Aussie to crack.
Prediction one: Jonny Wilkinson will take a pot at a drop goal on England's first attack ... and he won't stop there.
Prediction two: Matt Dunning is in for a very tiring day but Stirling Mortlock will win the day.
Prediction three: John O'Neill will have plenty to say, whatever the outcome.
South Africa v Fiji
Fiji would have been in enough strife anyway without losing their rock and goalkicker Nicky Little. Look for plenty of South African lineout steals and a Fijian scrum in various states of reverse. In fact, their scrum may disintegrate at such a rate that it won't be capable of going backwards.
Prediction: South Africa by 30 ... if Fiji has a good day.
Scotland v Argentina
The form book says Argentina, and yet a little voice keeps saying Scotland will find the necessary vigour to pull off an upset win.
This isn't a little voice of reason of course. More like a murmuring from a rugby past in which Scotland mingled rather sheepishly in the halls of power and Argentina were seen as very big blokes who were little rugby brothers.
Get with it. This is the new Argentina, with a history of particularly famous wins over France and a backline that can actually run a bit quicker than their pack.
Argentina's rumbling forward power should allow first five-eighths Juan-Martin Hernandez to dominate the game with his flowing boot. But Hernandez and his backline are more than one kick Pumas and Scotland will face a variety of tests.
That little voice persists, however. Call it intuition ... or insanity.
Prediction: Scotland by not very many.
