JAPAN. The Moodie Davitt Report is delighted to have partnered with Walsh Whiskey of Ireland in a special readers’ competition to mark this week’s epic Rugby World Cup quarter-final showdown between reigning world champions, the All Blacks of New Zealand, and Ireland.
The All Blacks, unbeaten in their pool matches, are seeking an unprecedented third consecutive World Cup and fourth in total. Ireland suffered a shock loss to hosts Japan in their pool match and have never progressed past the quarter-finals – but have convincingly beaten the All Blacks in two of their past three encounters.
In the build-up to the big match, we’ll be interviewing travel retail executives from New Zealand and Ireland (see our launch feature below with Auckland Airport General Manager – Retail and Commercial Richard Barker) to gauge industry sentiment over the great Black v Green showdown in Tokyo.
Feelings are running high in the industry. After The Moodie Davitt Report Chairman Martin Moodie published a tweet last night declaring ‘Black is the new green’, a leading industry consultant replied in a now-deleted Twitter storm, “New Zealand won’t get past the quarters, you chump.” Ouch, that was worse than a Peter O’Mahony late hit on Beauden Barrett.
We’ll also learn via an exclusive interview how intra-company tensions are boiling over at The Moodie (New Zealand) Davitt (Ireland) Report and that the future identity of travel retail’s leading publisher is at stake.
And we’re offering a fabulous prize to the winner of The Great Rugby World Cup Showdown Contest. With tongue only partly in cheek, Walsh Whiskey is offering a personalised bottle of ‘Rare as a humble All Black supporter’ Writers’ Tears Japanese Cask whiskey.
The label will carry the match occasion, the final score, and a choice of monikers, ‘Tears of Joy’ or ‘Tears of Pain’ depending on who wins the bottle (and whether their side won).
The rules are simple.
- No head-high tackles.
- You must predict the winner (if tied after normal time, the eventual score counts).
- The winner will be the person with the closest differential taking both scores into account: e.g. If a 23-15 win to the All Blacks and you pick 20-10 your differential is 8.
- You must be directly involved in the travel retail or aviation sectors.
Countback questions (you must answer these) in the event of there being more than one winner.
- Man of the match prediction
- First team to score
- Winners of the four quarter-finals
- Complete this sentence in your most creative way: “Wayne Barnes is a ….
Send your predictions to Martin@MoodieDavittReport before noon Tokyo time, Saturday 26 October, headed ‘Black v Green’
INTERVIEW 2: THE IRISH PERSPECTIVE – Butlers Chocolates International Sales Director Karl Marnane
- Karl, what’s the secret to an Irish victory at the weekend? Murray and Sexton. It sounds obvious but we need to score tries and early on. Against South Africa, New Zealand were physically bullied for the first 20 minutes but they turned the game around in the space of 8 minutes with two tries and it was game over. Ireland need to stop Aaron Smith getting quick ball.
- Biggest concern about the opposition? Where do I start?! Back-to-back World Champions, they have not lost a world cup match since the QF’s in 2007. They play brilliant running rugby. 12 months ago NZ were struggling with their centres and also the backrow but suddenly players like Ardie Savea and Anton Lienert-Brown are really hitting form. I love the Barretts, what an incredible family. Three sons playing for the All Blacks. I doubt their parents will ever have to buy a drink again in New Plymouth.
3. Key man (forwards and backs) for the Irish? James Ryan and Johnny Sexton.
4. Will you launch a special Butlers line extension if you beat the All Blacks? Just don’t launch it as a TR-exclusive in Auckland! We just did, ironically it went into Auckland Airport this week!
An Irish gift from New Zealand, courtesy of Butlers. But Kiwis might opt instead for a gift-wrapped All Blacks victory. 5. Your picks for the 4 quarter-finals?
Ireland by 5 against NZ.
I think there will be another surprise in the other quarter finals, I think France like us have one big game in them so I expect them to turn it on against Wales.
South Africa will put an end to the Japanese fairytale. Japan have been the best team to watch so far in the tournament but I expect South Africa to physically dominate them, but what a game. Cheslin Kolbe V Kotaro Matsushima would be worth the flight alone.
England v Australia is a tough one. On paper England are very strong but Australia are just so good at knock-out rugby.I would not be surprised at all to see them go through. Their biggest issue is they have been slow starters in all their games so far and against England I think they might just give them too much of a head start.
So… Ireland, France England, South Africa.
INTERVIEW 1: THE KIWI PERSPECTIVE – Auckland Airport General Manager – Retail and Commercial Richard Barker
- Richard, what’s the secret to an All Blacks victory at the weekend?
The forwards need to dominate so we can unleash a talented backline.
- Biggest concern about the opposition?
Ireland, after finally beating the AB’s in Chicago, now know they can beat the All Blacks. Belief counts for a lot.
- Key man (forwards and backs) for the All Blacks?
The B’s. Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett
- Surely it will be a premature end to the ARI (The Loop) duty free concession at Auckland Airport if the Irish beat the All Blacks?
No, I’ll have a good Irish whiskey to toast them. If we lose to England that’s another matter!
- Your picks for the 4 quarter finals?
AB’s beat Ireland,
England beat Australia
Wales beat France
I want Japan to beat South Africa but the big Boks forwards will shut them down.
- And of course… your score prediction for Saturday?
All Blacks 27 – Ireland 13. Go the ABs!
