Our team of writers were asked for their predictions for the Rugby World Cup, and many had different views as to who will be victorious on Halloween.
Tristan Fitzpatrick
I think Australia is going to win the world cup, New Zealand is a fading force; it’s not that they’re not a great team with an unbelievable amount of experience. I just think that Australia are just the right team for this tournament, away from home pressure is off to an extent, and they’re not in hostile territory like in 2011. Watching Australia win 27-19 over the All Blacks sold me on my already sneaking suspicion; that this Australia team is peaking at just the right time. It’s not as though Australia are on the brink of a dynasty veterans Stephen Moore, Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper are huge parts of this team, with little to no chance of playing in the next World Cup. This team is unified with perfect harmony and balance, with the right blend of experience and youth.
Ben James
As far as winners go, it’s hard to look past defending champions New Zealand. So often their own worst enemy in the past, the All Blacks will be looking for a maiden World Cup victory on foreign shores – remarkable given their dominance of international rugby. But it won’t be an easy task with Australia, South Africa, France, Ireland, Wales and hosts England all contenders.
Jacob Sinkins
I personally believe that a home victory for England will come as a surprise result to many. With the overwhelmingly majority of fans cheering them on at each game, the physiological advantage could prove key for Stuart Lancaster’s side. They have a strong squad and, as long as their lineout issues are addressed, I can see the hosts going all the way.
Patrick Furlong
For me at this year’s RWC Ireland have a fantastic opportunity to build on the strengths introduced by Joe Schmidt that has seen the side succeed at recent RBS 6 Nations and in the Autumn internationals, with scalps against a number of the big teams from down under. And despite not the smoothest run up to the tournament in the warm up games the side should be able to build momentum during the group stage and should at least be targeting a semi-final place whilst maintaining complete faith in the wealth of talent brimming from the squad to lead the nation to their first World Cup triumph.
