The Flying Fijians are the best placed Pacific Island side that can pose threats to most of the teams at next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

The bookmakers in New Zealand have placed Fiji at $250 to win the tournament ahead of both Samoa and Tonga at $500.

Meanwhile the bookmakers have ignored the All Blacks' poor World Cup record and their indifferent form last year to install them as favorites for next year's tournament.

The TAB opened its book on who the winner would be today, with the host nation priced at $2.20 to win their second Web Ellis Trophy.

The All Blacks are followed by Australia at $4 with defending champions South Africa a surprising third at $4.75.

The top rated side from the north are the 6 Nations champions, France, with England and Ireland next.

Despite France upsetting the All Blacks at home last year, TAB's head rugby bookie Mark Stafford does not think a northern hemisphere side will challenge Graham Henry's men.

Stafford said with the All Blacks unbeaten in Europe for many seasons, it's hard to see how they will be troubled by a northern hemisphere side next year.