These are exciting times in international rugby.

The World Cup is three weeks away and the phoney war is already at full tilt. Almost everyone seems to be keeping their powder dry, reluctant to reveal too much too soon.

At least we know what the Springboks will bring to the party after Friday’s squad announcement in Durban. They’re big and strong. We just don’t know if they will press on with their ambition to play a wilder, wider game. World Cups are less about the fripperies than the fundamentals, though, so I’m expecting grinding rather than rousing rugby from the Boks. They won’t risk getting too loose against Samoa or Scotland in their pool matches. Those teams thrive on scraps.

As ever, the big question is over New Zealand’s state of mind. They were bowled over by Australia a few weeks ago, but in the context of World Cup year it wasn’t a big deal. You could see New Zealand trying new things, their eyes on a cup a little bigger than the Rugby Championship.

The following week they belted the Wallabies as only they can. New Zealand don’t tolerate upstarts.

Even so, there are question marks, albeit small ones, over their oldies like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter. They were both influential in the Rugby Championship, but their bones are beginning to creak. Can they still string together four or five imposing performances?

France, the most maddening of teams, have predictably raced in from left field to stake a claim. France’s inconsistency has become a cliché, but they really are a team who play only if the mood takes them. Last week, they beat England handsomely with long-in-the-tooth former Sharks hero Freddie Michalak kicking a bucket load of points and right wing Yoann Huget looking potent from first minute to last.

We can’t ever be sure which France will pitch up, but their pool match against Ireland in Cardiff on October 11 will be nuclear in nature. France haven’t beaten Ireland since 2011, but you’d be nervous betting against them at a World Cup.

You may have forgotten, but in 2011 they were shocked by Tonga, only to have the All Blacks hanging on for their lives in the final a few weeks later. Ever French, ever capricious.

Talking of Fiji, no-one bar Australian legend George Smith is giving them a chance. He’s picking them to emerge from the group of death which includes England, Australia and Wales. Can’t see it myself, especially as the island nations play so seldom. But it will be fun watching them try.

There’s also Argentina. Three weeks ago they pulled off the biggest win in their history in Durban. The South African response was to climb into the Boks, but the broader reaction was more sensible.

We cry out for world rugby to be more inclusive and to create more powers, yet when one, such as Argentina, gives big brother a bloody nose, we get uptight.

We should acclaim their growth and development. They’ve finally arrived at the big table.

Argentina have a style all their own and play the game with a sense of abandon. Given the right circumstances, they could beat anyone at the World Cup in a one-off.

Their gains are coming along slowly, but the next step must be to become consistent and reliable. They always tend to shape well at the tournament. Their pool match against the All Blacks will tell us much.

What of England?

The hosts are coming to the boil nicely, even if overrated number eight Billy Vunipola gave away a raft of penalties last week.

They will play the conditions smartly and might have the biggest, angriest pack at the World Cup. The thing with England is that they do the fundamentals so well, but they lack something magical; the spark to set them ablaze.

The local desperadoes cling feverishly to the hope that it may be Sam Burgess, the league convert. Don’t bet on it.

England may not even need his theatrics. World Cups are mostly battles of attrition and the grinders dominate the glory boys.

Even so, this one is wide open, perhaps more than ever. – © Sunday Tribune