I fancy there chances. Hotly. They have the best backrow, bar none, in the world. In their front row they now have Ross, a bullying forward that has held his own against the best scrummagers in the world in the Heineken cup - if anywhere knows how to scrum its props playing up in wet and windy NH conditions. He schooled all of them, even the likes of Domingo whose said to be the best in the world. Because they had a poor front row (without ross who is now their anchor) back before the six nations - the Bookies and rookies wrote them off given them outrageous odds for a No.4 ranked team. The odds have yet to respond to their new team - my advice get their odds now.
They have locks, Paul O'Connell and Cullen who are, bar Matfield, Bekker and Botha, two of the finest locks in world rugby. Expect them to take all of their own lineout ball, and a good deal of yours too.
Their backs are another class above most in the world. France, Ireland, Aus and NZ are in a different class for back divisions currently in world rugby. Sextons like another Carter, O'Driscoll and D'arcy's midfield axis needs no intro, their back three has such talent and such depth its amazing. They will, if they hit their stride, provide some of the most entertaining phases of play in the tournament.
Now thats a run down of their squad. Whoever wins group C will face either Wales/Fiji/Samoa. Aus and Ireland should be able to put these teams away in their sleep. That will mean facing England or France in the Semi's. Both incredibly tough teams, but Ireland can beat England they have something ridiculous like a 7/8 win rate against them currently. Aus may struggle against England, but would beat France. Ironically Ireland would probably lose to France. Thats how bogey teams seem to operate here. England would probably beat france anyway in the quarters, so i'll go for an England Ireland Semi - and we all know who'd win that.
That sets you up with an Ireland All Black final. Well, isnt it all set up for a historical first win? Stranger things have happened, and with the Irish support, both travelling in numbers and the sounds that they can make, well lets say NZ might just feel that they're away from home. Never underestimate the noise of Irish fans.
Realistically i expect a semi final from them. But at that stage of the competition anything can happen. Anything. And a team full of HC winners from Munster and Leinster can pull anything off.