ABs' likely shot at redemption in Cup opener

Getty Images ©

An All Black/France showdown is a leading contender as the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Tournament boss Martin Snedden has confirmed that a rematch of the 2007 World Cup quarter-final, which the All Blacks lost 20-18 in Cardiff, was a leading possibility to kick-off the tournament.

The draw for the tournament was confirmed in London on Tuesday morning, with the All Blacks grouped with France, Tonga and yet-to-be-confirmed qualifiers from the Americas and Asia in Pool A.

The All Blacks are yet to play France since the World Cup upset result in the first round of knock-out play at last year's tournament.

They will clash in early June at Carisbrook, Dunedin, in the All Blacks' first test of 2009.

Snedden said the All Black/France clash was also an opening match reality in 2011, along with a showdown against Tonga.

"It is traditional for the hosts to do that (play in the opening match)," Snedden told Yahoo!Xtra from London.

"With what came out today, the idea of New Zealand against France would have a fair amount of appeal.

"But as an alternative, we are looking at something which would link that this is a South Pacific tournament, with New Zealand versus Tonga.

"That could have a reasonable amount of appeal as well."

It is unlikely that an All Black/France clash would be overly appealing for either camp as their first-up tournament showing.

However, at least in 2011 the All Blacks will face a true rugby force in pool-play.

Last year's scheduling saw the All Blacks breeze through pool-play, facing Italy, Romania, Portugal and Scotland.

The sting was taken out of the latter clash when Scottish coach Frank Hadden fielded a virtual B-team.

Two weeks later and the All Blacks' World Cup campaign was over, partly due to their failure to react to France's impassioned play in the quarter-final.

"It is funny how these things fall," Snedden said.

"It creates a bit of interest, it adds a nice bit of drama around it.

"I had a quick chat to Graham Henry, he wasn't fazed either way about how it has fallen.

"And I also had a chat to Richie McCaw."

The Asian qualifier in the All Blacks' pool is expected to Japan.

The Americas qualifier is likely to be Canada or America.

Defending champions South Africa find themselves in arguably the toughest pool, where they will face Fiji, the side who nearly derailed their charge to the title in 2007, and Wales, the 2008 Six Nations champions.

The Wallabies, tournament winners in 1991 and 1999, will face three European teams in Pool C, headed by Ireland and Italy.

"I have been looking at Pools B, C and D," Snedden said.

"And B, with Argentina, England and Scotland, based on current form it will be interesting who comes through there.

"Pool C, with Australia, Ireland and Italy, well Australia should be OK, but Ireland and Italy will be at each other's throats.

"I think Pool D is the one with the most fun look to it, with South Africa, Wales, Fiji and almost certainly Samoa. It will be hard in that group."

The RWC 2011 pools are:

Pool A: All Blacks, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1

Pool B: Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, Play-off winner

Pool C: Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2

Pool D: South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1

Following the RWC 2011 pool matches, the knockout rounds will follow the same structure as RWC 2003 and RWC 2007. The full structure is as follows:

Quarter-final 1: Winner Pool B v Runner-up Pool A

Quarter-final 2: Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D

Quarter-final 3: Winner Pool A v Runner-up Pool B

Semifinal 1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF2

Semifinal 2: Winner QF3 v Winner QF4

Bronze Final: Loser SF1 v Loser SF2

Final: Winner SF1 v Winner SF2