For the more enlightened of villagers (ie those who follow "the game they play in heaven").... Go the Wallabies!!
Also, I was surprised last World Cup by Japan. Not an especially good team, but as is typical of them, they never do anything in halves... They played HARD. A short, stocky team that just didn't stop. An absolute pleasure to watch.
Anyway, my prediction for the Cup is Australia. That's not just patriotism, I really like our chances. It is the last time that two of our star players will play professional rugby (scrum half George Gregan and fly half Stephen Larkham). Anyone who knows these two, knows that they will go out with a bang, and they have the ability to inspire the team to do so too. Plus, Larkham has the added (and admitedly somewhat unfair) advantage of having played rugby with me up until about the fifth grade. He was also in my class at school for a couple of those years. The lucky devil.