WORLD Cup fever has officially arrived in Echo Towers – bringing with it questionable footballing judgement and the obligatory sweepstake.

While there is not a flag in sight, all the talk (at least among the sports and features boys) is centred on South Africa 2010.

The sweepstake kit did the rounds earlier this week – with contrasting fortunes for our staff.

I was pretty annoyed when I discovered it had been commissioned on my day off – meaning I missed out.

However, when I saw some of the unfortunate picks my colleagues had landed (head of sport Neil Meldrum got New Zealand – ouch), it was more relief than angst that I had not taken part.

If the All Whites were to scoop the top prize, it would be the biggest upset of all time.

Although try telling that to one of our employees.

Kiwi Lyndon Hogg is optimistic of his countrymen’s chances. I can only imagine that patriotic bias has gone into overdrive, overshadowing all sensible footballing judgement.

While Lyndon had New Zealand defeating Holland in a surprise finale, Sam Revell has gone with convention by tipping five-times winners Brazil to beat reigning champions Italy in the July 11 showpiece.

It doesn’t take a genius to work out whose prediction is going to be closest in four weeks’ time.