Herald experts - World Cup predictions: Who misses out in Pool A?

Nemani Nadolo of Fiji looks on during the pre-Rugby World Cup International Friendly match between Fiji and Canada. Photo / Getty Images.

The Herald rugby experts make their predictions for the Rugby World Cup. Today, they look at pool A, the dream final and the biggest off-field controversy.

The dream final

Gregor Paul: Scotland v Ireland. Everyone loves the Celts and the rugby would get lost in the drunken haze.

Justin Marshall: It has to be New Zealand against England. Do I think it will happen? No, because England have failed to impress me. But it would make for an incredible final at Twickenham.

Chris Rattue: England v New Zealand. Tension, drama, atmosphere, antipathy.

Nigel Yalden: New Zealand v Ireland - the best of the Southern Hemisphere against the best of the north.

Ali Williams: England v All Blacks, with New Zealand winning 8-7.

Wynne Gray: All Blacks v Ireland. What a hell of a party in front of a Twickenham full of grieving Poms. Steve 'Stoneface' Hansen against the Milky Bar. Kid (Joe) Schmidt - the current coach against the one in waiting. OMG.

Patrick McKendry: All Blacks v England. It would be a massive occasion for obvious reasons and the All Blacks have the game to overwhelm them.

Who misses out from pool A (England, Australia, Wales, Fiji, Uruguay)?

Paul: England, Fiji and Uruguay. Without stating the bleeding obvious, because they won't finish in the top two.

Marshall: Uruguay, Fiji and Wales.

Rattue: Wales, Fiji and Uruguay to miss out. Australia have the wood on Wales, who have lost their goalkicking ace Leigh Halfpenny. I would love Fiji to make it, though.

Yalden: Wales, Fiji and Uruguay - Australia are the best team in the pool and England will ride the home crowd to the playoffs. Wales will lose tight matches to the Wallabies and England, Fiji's perceived threat will fail to eventuate and Uruguay shouldn't have been included in this question in the first place.

Williams: Uruguay, Fiji and Wales, unfortunately, as I think that they could fall over against Fiji.

Gray: Uruguay - put your last dollar on it - Fiji and Wales (in reverse order).

McKendry: Uruguay, Fiji and Wales. The Welsh just don't convince as being able to mix it with the big boys, despite the undoubted quality in their squad.

The worst excuse we're likely to hear

Paul: "The dingo took our gameplan."

Marshall: Anyone blaming the referee.

Rattue: Something to do with a referee.

Yalden: "It's the WAGs' fault."

Williams: "The referee stuffed us." But there is a lot of pressure on the referees so there is that chance. We all love you Wayne Barnes.

Gray: "The TMO missed that and it cost us a place in the playoffs."

McKendry: A coach of a top nation moaning about the short turnarounds between some matches, something the second-tier nations have had to deal with for years.

What is going to be the biggest off-field controversy?

Paul: Half the Romanian team are going to defect.

Marshall: Something involving Quade Cooper or Kurtley Beale causing a storm on social media.

Rattue: Whatever it may be, it will be trivial compared to world events.

Yalden: The 'injury' that see's England's Sam Burgess ruled out of the tournament after just two games.

Williams: Drew Mitchell and Castro Giovani are caught with their tops off in a nightclub dancing with Britian's most famous Page 3 model (who that is, I wouldn't have a clue).

Gray: The All Blacks refuse an invitation to a party at Mike Tindall's joint, TJ Perenara calls the British PM Jim Blair and the All Blacks are refused permission to replace Waisake Naholo because he is carrying a pre-existing injury.

McKendry: England fans on the rampage in the normally quiet Twickenham town centre after they lose to the All Blacks in a close and controversial final.