No Carter, no McCaw - no problem according to psychic sheep Sonny Wool, who has picked the All Blacks to beat Japan in tonight’s Rugby World Cup pool match.

The sheep was proudly sporting a black jersey as it made its pick at the Bowen Early Childhood Centre in Wilton this morning.

While considering the two containers of hay to choose from, Sonny showed some of the fancy footwork associated with his namesake, before heading for the container marked with a New Zealand flag.

Cheering kids, who showed their allegiance to the All Blacks with face paint and balloons, may have added pressure to Sonny's decision.

Sonny Wool’s agent Dan Boyd said he was confident the weakened All Blacks would still be too strong for Japan.

If they do, it will be two correct picks for the sheep and five to go.


Story by: Vijay Narayan