Variables

Well
Much has been said on who could or would win this world cup, and I decided to quickly put a list together of what could swing a game either way, from a loss to a win for any given team , which is out of their immediate control.
Given some very s..h..i..t..t..y results or calls in previous world cups.
There are so many things which could happen in any game, at any specific moment that are out of the coaches or players hands, but could directly result in a team winning any particular game, and whilst we all seem very sure of what is a given regarding our favourite teams, the below factors are never a given, which could affect any game, at any stage due to the pressure of this competition.
WeatherInconsistent ReffingAssistant ref callsPlayer formInjuriesIntercept TryDrop kicksMissed penaltiesMissed ConversionsKnock on'sYellow CardsSanctionsSick playersCrowd supportScrumsMissed TacklesMoments of LuckMoments of MagicScrumming InterpretationsTV Ref callsHigh TacklesTackles in the airLineouts wonTouch Kicks
Any one of these variables could help a side move through to the next round, even the knockouts, and yet, because we see previous form or just names on paper, some say some teams have have no chance at all.......
Nobody can determine all these variables in any game, so for me it's game on !!

 Too true DA, you could add bounce of the ball and brain explosions.

Bounce of the ball.... yeah, very true indeed

 Effect of subs....they won the game for the Poms.

 JW
You surely means brain implosions.  

Mozart 
Not as easy as all that - one has to weigh up the quality of the English bench compared to the quality of the Fiji bench as well.  The English bench was much moire effective than the Fiji bench.  That in the end made a huge difference to the oiutcome.   
It does not necessarily mean that the bench players themselves are better than the starters - with the exception of Barrett who was alway a mediocre center in any event.