The World Cup in Japan kicks off in exactly one month and one day’s time.
And I’m expecting one of the most open tournament’s in the global showpiece’s history this year.
The time for talk is over, all the teams’ four-year plans will finally be unveiled.
It’s a tournament that will pit some of the game’s finest rugby brains against each other. And this is where I believe the tournament will be won - in the coaching box.
For a number of years, the All Blacks have been by far the best team in the world.
And while they are still undoubtedly favourites to hold on to the William Webb Ellis trophy, coach Steve Hansen will not be resting on his laurels.
CROWN IS SLIPPING: World champ Steve Hansen of NZ. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
In the southern hemisphere, the All Blacks’ big foe, the Springboks, have suddenly emerged as a strong contender once again.
Under Rassie Erasmus, South Africa won their first Rugby Championship this year - albeit in a shortened version of the tournament and proved in the 16-all draw against New Zealand that they have what it takes to compete against the Kiwis.
I believe the SA v NZ World Cup opener will be a game of chess between Erasmus and Hansen - and South Africans shouldn’t be writing off their man just yet.
Then you’ve got the Wallabies. Yes, they got hammered by New Zealand on Saturday after beating them the previous week, but they proved that they can beat any team on their day.
With Michael Cheika under pressure, I believe he will pull out all his aces in the tournament in a desperate attempt to restore some lost Wallaby pride.
To the guys in the northern hemisphere.
Wales’ Warren Gatland is a known rugby genius and after having steered his team to glory in the Six Nations this year, the Dragons will be a force.
GENIUS: Wales boss Warren Gatland. Photo: Andrew Cornaga.
How Gatland deals with the loss of Gareth Anscombe will be interesting, but I remember a period in recent rugby history when Dan Biggar was a feared flyhalf.
Anyway, the wiliest coach of the northern brigade has to be England’s Eddie Jones.
They lost to Wales in their warm-up clash this past weekend, but that’s probably what Jones would have wanted.
He is a mastermind when he is underestimated - just think of Japan’s victory over the Boks at the last World Cup.
Three-times Six Nations champion with the Irish, Joe Schmidt only seems to struggle against England with a 43 percent win ratio.
TRUE MASTERMIND: England tactician Eddie. Photo: Jones Neil Hall/EPA.
He’s beaten the All Blacks twice in four outings at the height of their power and the Boks three times in five outings.
At their best, any of these teams can beat each other, and then you also have darkhorses France and Argentina.
The warm-ups didn’t give much away in terms of who will run away with it, so it’s anyone’s guess who the favourite for this tournament is. I guess it’s time to pin the King.