Before England’s defeat to Australia on Saturday the LincSport team were asked to predict who they thought would win this year’s World Cup.
The World Cup final will be held at Twickenham on October 31. One of our writers predictions are already wrong after England crashed out of the World Cup last weekend. But who do our other writers think will win the Rugby World Cup?
Adam Tomlinson – Sport Editor: Before the tournament I always believed England could win the World Cup even with their difficult group, however, there defeat to Wales was unforgivable. It’s a tough call between the All Blacks and Australia, but ultimately I believe Australia will be victorious this year. They look incredibly accomplished all over the pitch and have grown as the tournament has progressed.
Liam Ray – Deputy Sport Editor: You can’t really look past the All Blacks. Their history in the tournament isn’t great despite their unrivalled skill level but they’re definitely the ones to beat.
James Williams: It’s got to be New Zealand for me. There’s too much class and know-how in their team. I would’ve said England before the tournament with it being held in this country and the wave of support that brings. However, it went badly wrong against Wales and Australia on Saturday will be an even harder test, which I don’t see England coming through!
Ryan Hall: Before the tournament began I would have been tempted to go with South Africa, however their astonishing defeat to the Japanese has cast major doubts over the team’s credentials. I can see England reaching the semis, or even the final, but ultimately it’ll be the All Blacks lifting the Webb Ellis Cup on October 31.
Michael Barwise: It’s got to be England, hasn’t it? With a very strong squad and the incredible support of the home fans spurring the boys on, this surely has to be our year. A man can dream, can’t he?
Elliot Spurgeon: It will be New Zealand in my opinion, as much as I would like England to lift the cup, I just don’t see it happening after their defeat to Wales. I think the defending champions and overwhelming favourites have it in the bag, but only time will tell.
Daniel Jefferson: It has to be New Zealand for me, current reigning champions of the World Cup, would have said England but for their defeat against Wales
Ollie Collins: England just aren’t good enough, not even the home advantage and mass support will be able to help them lift the trophy. O2’s ‘Make them giants’ advert seems rather ironic now as Wales reduced them to mice. For me, it has to be New Zealand because of their explosive backs.
Elliott Dalton: Despite failing to pick up a bonus point against Fiji in their opening game, Australia ran riot against Uruguay, scoring 11 tries in the process. There will be tougher tests to come, but I think the Wallabies will grow into the tournament and run out winners.
Luke Vials: Before the tournament started my heart would have ruled my head and I would have predicted the hosts England to use their home advantage to guide them to victory. However, after that defeat to Wales, it has to be the all blacks for me. They have already comfortable dispatched Argentina, Namibia and Georgia in the group and still have another gear to go up to. I fully expect them to get stronger as the tournament progresses and end up champions.