Herald experts - World Cup predictions: Which team will win?

Richie McCaw during the All Blacks team training session, held at The Lensbury, Teddington, Middlesex, London. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Our experts make their final predictions for the Rugby World Cup, including which side will win it all.

Who will win?

Gregor Paul: New Zealand. They remain the best team, have picked the right squad, have thought deeply about what it takes to win and have an incredible capacity to dig out victories.

Justin Marshall: The draw, if it goes to script, will see New Zealand and South Africa meet in a semifinal and I don't see the Springboks having enough firepower to beat the All Blacks, so they will win the tournament.

Chris Rattue: Ireland. This is a wild guess but it would be wonderful to see them break the old order. They have plenty of runs on the board, including the closest thing to a first-ever victory over the All Blacks two years ago.

Nigel Yalden: New Zealand. The All Blacks have a better understanding of all the aspects needed to win consecutive tournaments than previous nations attempting to achieve the feat as well as the mental strength to handle the pressure that comes with it.

Ali Williams: The All Blacks will win, 'cause they have Shag (Hansen).

Wynne Gray: No idea. I don't think I've picked a winner in seven attempts so far so, using that theory, let's plump for England.

Patrick McKendry: The All Blacks deserve to be favourites because they possess the right mix of experience and x-factor. No team will want to play them in the knockout stages - not even France.

Star of the tournament

Paul: Kieran Read (NZ). It is going to be a loose forward's tournament and that will bring out the best in him and his incredible range of skills.

Marshall: Nemani Nadolo (Fiji). The World Cup explodes early with so much competition in group A. Fiji open the tournament against England and, with most of the initial interest focused on this pool, I see Nadolo lighting up the RWC with his skills and power.

Rattue: Nehe Milner-Skudder (NZ), hopefully. It's all about skill with Milner-Skudder, and I'm sick of hearing that dour experience is what it takes in the World Cup.

Yalden: David Pocock (Australia). His wonderful blend of fitness, skill and rugby nous will shine from pool play all the way through to the penultimate game of the tournament.

Williams: Dan Carter (NZ). I'm going with my heart here as I know what this means to him. It's times like this when he shows his true class.

Gray: Israel Folau (Australia). He's got so much talent which is starting to show through in most matches. Great skills, scans the track and loves to attack.

McKendry: Nemani Nadolo (Fiji). The Fijian wrecking ball has the potential to create havoc at this tournament - starting in the first match against England at Twickenham.

Flop of the tournament

Paul: Sam Burgess (England). He's a brilliant athlete and may become a great rugby player but, like Sonny Bill Williams at the last World Cup, it's too soon for him.

Marshall: If England don't get there mojo together very quickly, they will not get out of the pool which will cause a major loss of interest in the World Cup from locals.

Rattue: The All Blacks if they don't win the trophy, which is harsh in a way but also reflects the awe in which they are still held in.

Yalden: Bismarck du Plessis (South Africa). He hasn't been his unrelenting self in the leadup and, while he'll be the Springboks starting hooker to begin the tournament, he'll be watching the quarter-final loss from the stands.

Williams: I don't know if it will be a flop but I'm hoping the fan zones are able to be recreated like they were in New Zealand, as that's what rugby is about.

Gray: Pool C, where the All Blacks face scant opposition after they open against the Pumas.

McKendry: Sam Burgess (England). The former rugby league player has struggled to find his feet in the 15-man game and that will continue on the biggest stage.