New Zealand are always well backed to win the World Cup outright, although they are still dogged by the 'chokers' tag. Despite winning the first World Cup back in 1987, the All Blacks have failed to win the William Webb Ellis Cup since, even though they have consistently been seen to have the strongest team in the competition.
They have produced talents such as Jonah Lomu and Hosea Gear in recent years and a country that is 'rugby mad' will be desperate for their team to finally end the wait for their second World Cup win.
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Tournament hosts New Zealand are odds on favourites to win the William Webb Ellis Cup on home soil as they bid to end a 24 year wait to win the world premier rugby union competition for a second time. New Zealand are odds on to reach the final and beat Australia in the semi-finals next weekend.
Check the outright odds for the World Cup.
Forwards: Corey Flynn, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock, Anthony Boric, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (c), Adam Thomson, Kieran Read, Victor Vito.
Backs: Jimmy Cowan, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Rochard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Zac Guildford, Cory Jane, Isaia Toeava, Israle Dagg, Mils Muliaina.
The New Zealand team's World Cup Fixtures are as follows:
| Date | Home | KO/Score | Away | Venue |
| 9th Sep | New Zealand | 41-10 | Tonga | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 16th Sep | New Zealand | 83-7 | Japan | Waikato Stadium, Hamilton |
| 24th Sep | New Zealand | 37-17 | France | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 2nd Oct | New Zealand | 79-15 | Canada | Wellington Stadium, Wellington |
| 9th Oct | New Zealand | 33-10 | Argentina | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 16th Oct | New Zealand | 20-6 | Australia | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 23rd Oct | France | 7-8 | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland |
Check all the 2011 World Cup Fixtures.
The 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool A table will be updated following each result:
Pool A
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts F | Pts A | BP | Pts |
| New Zealand Q | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 49 | 4 | 20 |
| France Q | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 124 | 96 | 3 | 11 |
| Tonga | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 98 | 1 | 9 |
| Canada | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 82 | 168 | 0 | 6 |
| Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 | 0 | 2 |
Check the full 2011 World Cup latest standings.
The All Blacks won the first ever World Cup back in 1987 and for a country that regards rugby as their national sport, it is a huge disappointment that they haven't added to that tally since.
It is all the more remarkable that they haven't won the World Cup more often as they have a winning record against every other test playing nation and have held the world number one ranking longer than any other team.
The trouble has been producing the goods on the big stage, as a nation that has produced the likes of Richie McCaw, Jonah Lomu and Dan Carter certainly isn't lacking in talent. They consistently make the semi-finals of the tournament but have struggled to kick on from there as they lost in the semi finals in 1991, 1999, 2003 and lost the final to South Africa in 1995.
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