You’ve got to love the positivity of New Zealanders, even though it might be a little arrogant and misplaced.

This was sent to me by Manly, it is an Article on www.stuff.co.nz

Not since 1987 have the All Blacks lifted the prized Rugby World Cup, but that hasn’t stopped the New Zealand TAB installing them as hot favourites for next year’s tournament.

The TAB has opened its book on the 2011 RWC in New Zealand and has immediately made Graham Henry’s side a short-priced proposition to repeat its feat of 1987’s inaugural tournament and lift the trophy on home soil.

Ignoring the tournament’s history since and even recent form – Henry’s men were swept 3-0 by the Springboks in last year’s Tri-Nations – the TAB has opened the All Blacks at $2.20 to lift The Webb Ellis Cup.

Surprisingly they’ve installed Robbie Deans’ Wallabies as second favourites ahead of the defending champion Springboks, which is sure to raise a few eyebrows in South Africa.

The Boks have looked well capable of holding their form through to the defence of the trophy and were certainly impressive last year as they claimed their first Tri-Nations title since 2004.

The TAB have also largely dismissed the northern hemisphere threat for next year’s tournament in New Zealand.

Six Nations champions France, who won one of two tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand last year, are at $9 while 2003 champions England are alongside Ireland on $15. Warren Gatland’s Wales are paying a tantalising $20 in the opening market.

The shortest priced of the Pacific Island nations is Fiji which is paying $250.

TAB rugby bookie Mark Stafford said it was a matter of consistency and common sense in terms of setting the All Blacks’ odds, despite their history of major chokes at the global tournament.

Despite being unanimous favourites for every tournament since David Kirk lifted that trophy in 1987, the All Blacks have been knocked out in the semifinals in 1991, 1999 and 2003, lost the 1995 final in an extra-time thriller to the Springboks, and were upset in the quarterfinals by France in the 2007 event.

“We may as well be consistent – they’ve been favourites for every World Cup,” Stafford said. “Potentially they’ve got the best team, and they have had every year. One day they’re going to do it and surely everything is going to line up in our favour being at home.”

Stafford said he expected to cop some flak from Boks supporters over his choice of Australia as second favourites, but he tags Deans’ team as one on the rise.