Kevin Roberts provides his thoughts on what the next year will ideally look like.

KEVIN ROBERTS IS CEO WORLDWIDE OF SAATCHI & SAATCHI AND AN ASTUTE OBSERVER OF OUR GREAT GAME.

I have been spending a bit of time recently in Asia, Europe and South America. Immersed in a dramatic, competitive FIFA World Cup tournament and some gripping England versus India test cricket.

Super Rugby lost its spark for me as the Blues, Chiefs and Highlanders came up short, and Manchester City are messing about in gentle, warm- up games in Scotland ( yes Gregor, Scotland) and the US.

It’s been a time for sporting reflection as I refill the emotional tank for the Rugby Championship, November All Black tour and then, the big one, Rugby World Cup 2015. 15 things on my wish list for the next 15 months:

1The

All Blacks nail that bloody world record, get that off their backs, and continue to resist and beat the ever dangerous Springboks and the fastimproving Wallabies.

2Dan

Carter comes back, manages his body and wins the Rugby World Cup he so richly deserves. I love Cruden and Barrett. Steve Hansen and the All Black coaches have developed both players beautifully. But Carter is different. He’s the most gifted, balanced, magical No 10 the game has ever seen. His game management, running, handling and decision- making have never been matched. And he must be every non New Zealander’s favourite player. Our game’s Lionel Messi.

3JK

discovers the missing ingredient the Blues need to go to the finals – a world class 10. Barrett would do nicely. My own favourite is more controversial, I’d go for Danny Cipriani. He’s probably the fifth or sixth choice in England so he could be available. He has the charisma, flair and pure ability to ignite the team, the city and the franchise. ( I floated this to ex- Blues Skipper Ali Williams over a couple of bottles of red in Paris in July and he went apoplectic. Locks!!!).

4The

All Black tight five continue to grow and provide the platform we need to keep South Africa and England honest. Can Whitelock and Retallick become our Matfield/ Botha? Can Coles continue his development to stand up to du Plessis and the other leviathans playing hooker nowadays? If so, this dog will hunt. McCaw, Read, Kaino, Messam, Vito and Cane will make sure we get the turnovers we need. The tight five is where RWC 2015 will be won or lost.

5The

USA Eagles perform in our historic test against the All Blacks on November 1 at Soldier Field in Chicago. 45,000 tickets already sold ( a USA rugby record), a 60,000 seat sell- out in sight, national TV coverage, strong AIG marketing support. All we need now is for the English Premiership to release contracted players such as Manoa Samu ( below) so we can give the ABs, the US and the spectators a game. Come on you club owners – do the right thing for the good of the game.

6The

All Black coaches figure out how to switch from easy warm up group games ( after Argentina) to a full metal jacket quarter final versus the likes of Ireland – or whisper it quietly – France. England will be battle- hardened after their group games with Wales and Australia. This – along with home ground advantage – is the single biggest problem facing us at RWC 2015.

7Wayne

Barnes doesn’t make the IRB referee list for RWC 2015. 8A

Tier 2 nation shocks the world and beats one of the Northern Hemisphere Tier 1 teams – watch out Scotland and Italy. We need our own Costa Rica fairy- tale to raise the Tier 2 profile and level the funding playing field versus the established, traditional powers around the IRB board table.

9We

get back on to the front foot in the Under 20 game. England and South Africa are building dangerously. We need to change some stuff around ( up front especially) and find new ways to make our athleticism and skills count more.

10England

continue to build under Lancaster and co and add more Mike Catt- thinking to their backs. Brian Ashton is doing some work with their coaches and an Ashton/ Catt attack think tank is an exciting proposition for the game and world rugby. It would be great to see an All Black versus England RWC final with attack, not goal kicking or drop goals, making the difference.

11Heyneke

Meyer and South Africa continue to develop their game in the same vein as England. They are building a backline of pace and imagination that could threaten everywhere. But they must bite the bullet and ditch Morne Steyn and bring on their kids at 10.

12We

face no problems on the three elephants in the room. First French clubs do not blackmail their Samoan/ Tongan/ Fijian players to skip the World Cup and stay in France. ( They did this without punishment in 2011.) Pas encore. Secondly the ugly face of concussion injuries is dealt to transparently and strictly. By administrators, coaches and doctors. The game cannot risk the dangers the NFL are facing. We must act now. And finally I hope we escape any betting/ fixing scandals. We do not want to become tomorrow’s cricket. ( Imagine what a Hans Cronje like No 10 could control/ influence?).

13A

miracle occurs, and everyone competes at scrum time, ball goes down the middle, hookers hook, props stay on their feet, and resets are banned. 14Inky

keeps writing. So great to have the weekly emails back. New Zealand needs you. We all missed ya mate! 15The

All Blacks, under Richie and DC, do the back- to- back thing and win it ( away from home!).