Rugby World Cup 2011: Brian Hightower’s Quarterfinals Predictions

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at Internationaled.org

Published: October 7, 2011

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The International Rugby Board needs to distribute more resources to tier-two nations in order to foster the growth of Rugby Union around the world in the coming years, says Brian Hightower, Universal Sports analyst and former captain of the USA Eagles, who competed in the 1999 World Cup.

Historically, Hightower says, the IRB tends to give more financial support to “better teams when the opposite is needed.”

“I hope at the end of this World Cup, the IRB sees that in order to grow the sport,” it needs to invest more money into tier-two nations.

Hightower will be in New Zealand this week covering the World Cup as an analyst for NBC Universal. The games will be streamed at universalsports.com (for a subscription fee).

“The Kiwis have the easiest way to the Semi Finals,” Hightower says of the No. 1 ranked New Zealand All Blacks, who face Argentina in the fourth quarter-final on October 9. The All Blacks will win the World Cup, in Hightower’s opinion, because they have “too much to play for.”

According to Hightower, success for the All Blacks rests on “their flankers and pack” and whether or not No. 8 Kieran Read “can regain his form from the Tri Nations Tournament” a few months ago.

The winner will play either South Africa or Australia, who meet in the third quarterfinal on October 9 as well.

 



 

“On any given day, it depends on which Australia shows up,” says Hightower. He will have his eye on Australian back Quade Cooper, a flash player who takes a lot of risks.

“It will be interesting to see how he performs at fly out against the Springboks.”

As for the other side of the bracket, which sees four teams from the Six Nations going head-to-head, Hightower believes it “is a complete roll of the dice.”

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Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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