With just two weeks to go until kick-off and tensions running high following England’s “group of death” pooling, EG gathers World Cup predictions from some of property’s rugby experts
Zinzan Brooke, former All Blacks number eight
There are potential banana skins all the way through the Rugby World Cup, particularly for England. Obviously, the England pool is one of the most difficult to get out of. And three of the top-ranked teams will suffer, which I think is totally ridiculous. England is in a vulnerable position as Wales and Australia are looking so strong.
And Fiji. Do not take your eyes off the ball with Fiji. Do I think they have got one win in them? Absolutely. They have nearly tripped up South Africa and France in the past.
There are lots of puzzles to work out, but if I was going to put a pound on my favourite, it would be New Zealand. It’s theirs to lose.”
Ciaran Bird, UK managing director, CBRE
Ireland is the potential dark horse, but I see England coming out of the group of death on top and, if they can achieve this, they are likely to meet the All Blacks in the final. Even with a home advantage, I think the Kiwis’ experience will win through.
Mark Rigby, chief executive, CVS
The default option is to tip New Zealand and I am sure many will. I had been looking at South Africa until recently – I thought they looked strong and could bring the game needed to win attritional tournament rugby. Based on the warm-up games of the past few weeks though, I have a sneaky feeling we might see France lift the trophy. Traditionally tagged as “mercurial” they are actually very consistent in reaching the sharp end of the tournament – witness 2011 when they were pipped in a final no-one expected them to reach after a shocker against Tonga. Based on depth of squad, big game know-how and current form, I think it might just be France. If you could bet each way in rugby, that would be my pick.
I always want to be optimistic about England, but we are nowhere near where we were in 2003, when we rode into the tournament on a high and carried that momentum right through the competition.
Some of the selection decisions are a bit iffy, the squad doesn’t look especially well balanced and we certainly don’t have the hit up front that sides need to boss the top test-playing nations. Forwards win matches, backs decide by how much, as the old saying goes. I thought England looked very light in the second game against France and unless they transform themselves, I can’t see them bringing enough to be picking up the trophy come 31 October. I would be pleased to be proved wrong.
Ian Marcus, Ian Marcus Consultants
A group of us were lucky enough to watch the England team play on Monday as part of a charity event to raise money for the Joining Jack children’s charity. I went with Paul Brundage from Oxford Properties, Christian Bearman from Valad, Eastdil Secured’s Peter Geissel and our sons to watch the team train and then we had a session with coach Stewart Lancaster.
We chatted to the players and they are all really fit and really up for it. They are huge! Real physical specimens and they are full of ambitions to win.
We spoke to them about the England pool and they know it will be a challenge. They know they have to use the power of home turf as an advantage and turn Twickenham into a fortress.
They also know the Fiji game is not one to ignore. Fiji is an incredibly strong team – very powerful – and the England players were wary of overlooking it. They need to secure a win – a good win. And if they make it out of the pool they will be battle- hardened and primed to take on anyone else, whereas other teams who have come out of easier pools might not be so well prepared. As for a winner? My heart still says England but my head says New Zealand. http://joiningjack.org
