Writing in the New Zealand Herald, former All Blacks captain Wayne Shelford insists the World Cup is a far from perfect tournament.
"I'm happy to join the World Cup fanfare, but let's not kid ourselves that we are about to witness a perfect tournament.
"Drama awaits and our little country will take on a whole new spirit and atmosphere as we play host to a major sporting event.
"But I'm afraid the initial weeks will involve a lot of one-sided games with big teams whitewashing smaller ones. I think the reality of this has been lost a little bit in the lead-up, but once the action begins it will become apparent.
"There are better ways to organise the World Cup, which should be an elite competition.
"The more honest we are about the current structure the more the chance that a much more competitive and thrilling tournament can be created, full of cliff-hangers between the top sides and those just below them."
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