The Official, one and only, Men's IRB Rugby World Cup 2023 thread

[Torquemada 1420]

Checking the SuperBru, fuck me I had forgotten your super human ability at making picks!

Well, that aged well.

Over the years there are a few teams who will repeatedly screw me over with their inconsistencies to the extent I loathe making picks for their games (and hence I am happy when the b*st*rds are out of cup comps!). Arg at intl level is one, along with Sco. Gloucester are a nightmare in the Prem and Europe.

Checking it now, you're still in the top 10. You've been on the case with the Pumas inconsistencies for awhile, and I've always just rated them on their good performances. We took opposite views on the Pumas, and it has now screwed us both regardless.

Always not a good sign when I call a match completely wrong. Throws the following matches involving those teams into doubt in my mind, which opens the door to more wrong calls. The Samoa matches against both England and the Pumas I'm now not sure on at all. Do the good Pumas or the bad Pumas play Samoa, does England's defence and ground work stop Samoan carrying momentum. Will probably retreat to the safe space of "higher ranked team by 10".

100% on the 2nd paragraph. In the end, it's early on and I went with the "favourites" approach too. Trouble is when an "obvious" result goes wrong, it evens things up by killing the GS for everybody and so any smart picks you made earlier are diminished like Fra by a wide margin against the ABs.

[Kiwias]

Chile are starting to look pretty ragged, they must be totally knackered by now

[Sandstorm]

Chile are starting to look pretty ragged, they must be totally knackered by now

Plucky amateurs just struggle to go the full 80.

[Sandstorm]

Nick Berry: “That’s help up”

Twat

[Oxbow]

Yeah, just ran out of energy. They can be proud of their first WC appearance though.

[Paddington Bear]

Chile should feel proud of that effort

[BnM]

Good to see a new face in Chilie

[_Os_]

Some facts I've just noticed (they don't call me Ox-bot for nothing), for you Slick.

Five matches in Georgia have scored more points than any losing team so far. Only one losing side has scored as many tries as them (ABs and Georgia both scored twice), no losing side has scored more tries than them. The score line (lost by 20) is more comparable to the T1 v T1 matches (ABs lost by 14, Pumas lost by 17), than the T1 v T2 matches which were blowouts.

Credible argument that Georgia are best losing side so far, I wouldn't make it because they conceded a 4 try bonus point. But so far they've out scored the ABs/Namibia/Romania/Pumas.

Add Chile to the list.

Could be making a rod for my back with this one. But that's all part of the fun.

[Torquemada 1420]

Some facts I've just noticed (they don't call me Ox-bot for nothing), for you Slick.

Five matches in Georgia have scored more points than any losing team so far. Only one losing side has scored as many tries as them (ABs and Georgia both scored twice), no losing side has scored more tries than them. The score line (lost by 20) is more comparable to the T1 v T1 matches (ABs lost by 14, Pumas lost by 17), than the T1 v T2 matches which were blowouts.

Credible argument that Georgia are best losing side so far, I wouldn't make it because they conceded a 4 try bonus point. But so far they've out scored the ABs/Namibia/Romania/Pumas.

Add Chile to the list.

Could be making a rod for my back with this one. But that's all part of the fun.

[Kiwias]

Chile are starting to look pretty ragged, they must be totally knackered by now

Plucky amateurs just struggle to go the full 80.

They can hold their heads up with pride and were still trying to play rugby right to the end

[Slick]

Some facts I've just noticed (they don't call me Ox-bot for nothing), for you Slick.

Five matches in Georgia have scored more points than any losing team so far. Only one losing side has scored as many tries as them (ABs and Georgia both scored twice), no losing side has scored more tries than them. The score line (lost by 20) is more comparable to the T1 v T1 matches (ABs lost by 14, Pumas lost by 17), than the T1 v T2 matches which were blowouts.

Credible argument that Georgia are best losing side so far, I wouldn't make it because they conceded a 4 try bonus point. But so far they've out scored the ABs/Namibia/Romania/Pumas.

I thought it was because you just kept churning out irrelevant stats

[Sandstorm]

Chile are starting to look pretty ragged, they must be totally knackered by now

Plucky amateurs just struggle to go the full 80.

They can hold their heads up with pride and were still trying to play rugby right to the end

For sure. Well played Chile.

[Stranger]

Yes, really well played by Chile. Of course WR will do everything they can to support their continued development

[sturginho]

Yes, really well played by Chile. Of course WR will do everything they can to support their continued development

[C69]

Chile are starting to look pretty ragged, they must be totally knackered by now

Plucky amateurs just struggle to go the full 80.

They can hold their heads up with pride and were still trying to play rugby right to the end

They had better basic skills, better leadership and a better game plan than their illustrious neighbours had last night.
Well done Chile.

[Hal Jordan]

Jill Douglas' accent has noticeably headed north of the border for this pitch side piece.

[C69]

Question for Torq. Why is the RWC so badly organised?
Lessons should have been learnt from the Euros etc

[BnM]

All these ads reminds me why I never watch ITV. Not to mention their crappy progs

[Torquemada 1420]

Question for Torq. Why is the RWC so badly organised?
Lessons should have been learnt from the Euros etc

The simple answer is the FFR is a heavily populated with a bunch of self serving c**ts. The whiff of corruption (economic or club nepotism) has hung around since the 60s. Look at the Presidents: Ferrasse (ex Agen and hated Toulouse), The Parasite (Lapasset who troughed with his cronies), Laporte (outright crook). It's like the old Politburo where you have to toady to the incumbent to work your way up and plan by surrounding yourself with toadies in waiting. Competence is the last requirement. In fact it's a handicap because it's a threat. It's Wales on steroids.

Throw in regional government and the various (right wing) police forces and you have an inevitable clusterf**k.

[C69]

Question for Torq. Why is the RWC so badly organised?
Lessons should have been learnt from the Euros etc

The simple answer is the FFR is a heavily populated with a bunch of self serving c**ts. The whiff of corruption (economic or club nepotism) has hung around since the 60s. Look at the Presidents: Ferrasse (ex Agen and hated Toulouse), The Parasite (Lapasset who troughed with his cronies), Laporte (outright crook). It's like the old Politburo where you have to toady to the incumbent to work your way up and plan by surrounding yourself with toadies in waiting. Competence is the last requirement. In fact it's a handicap because it's a threat. It's Wales on steroids.

Throw in regional government and the various (right wing) police forces and you have an inevitable clusterf**k.

Fair enough. I think the Olympics will be a disaster.

[Torquemada 1420]

Question for Torq. Why is the RWC so badly organised?
Lessons should have been learnt from the Euros etc

The simple answer is the FFR is a heavily populated with a bunch of self serving c**ts. The whiff of corruption (economic or club nepotism) has hung around since the 60s. Look at the Presidents: Ferrasse (ex Agen and hated Toulouse), The Parasite (Lapasset who troughed with his cronies), Laporte (outright crook). It's like the old Politburo where you have to toady to the incumbent to work your way up and plan by surrounding yourself with toadies in waiting. Competence is the last requirement. In fact it's a handicap because it's a threat. It's Wales on steroids.

Throw in regional government and the various (right wing) police forces and you have an inevitable clusterf**k.

Fair enough. I think the Olympics will be a disaster.

I don't know. It could go the other way because there are representations from so many events kinda holding the committee to some account.

Another issue with rugby is Paris. The game's heartland was the SW and yet politically the power was seated in Paris. This matters less now but was a major deal until professionalism.

[Paddington Bear]

Question for Torq. Why is the RWC so badly organised?
Lessons should have been learnt from the Euros etc

The simple answer is the FFR is a heavily populated with a bunch of self serving c**ts. The whiff of corruption (economic or club nepotism) has hung around since the 60s. Look at the Presidents: Ferrasse (ex Agen and hated Toulouse), The Parasite (Lapasset who troughed with his cronies), Laporte (outright crook). It's like the old Politburo where you have to toady to the incumbent to work your way up and plan by surrounding yourself with toadies in waiting. Competence is the last requirement. In fact it's a handicap because it's a threat. It's Wales on steroids.

Throw in regional government and the various (right wing) police forces and you have an inevitable clusterf**k.

Can FFR take the blame for the stadium issues? This has been a known issue at least at the SdF for a while. Ticketing was a fiasco and is one of the reasons I’m watching from the sofa so I’m not offering them any support!

[Hal Jordan]

Finally, two anthems that actually worked.

[Torquemada 1420]

Question for Torq. Why is the RWC so badly organised?
Lessons should have been learnt from the Euros etc

The simple answer is the FFR is a heavily populated with a bunch of self serving c**ts. The whiff of corruption (economic or club nepotism) has hung around since the 60s. Look at the Presidents: Ferrasse (ex Agen and hated Toulouse), The Parasite (Lapasset who troughed with his cronies), Laporte (outright crook). It's like the old Politburo where you have to toady to the incumbent to work your way up and plan by surrounding yourself with toadies in waiting. Competence is the last requirement. In fact it's a handicap because it's a threat. It's Wales on steroids.

Throw in regional government and the various (right wing) police forces and you have an inevitable clusterf**k.

Can FFR take the blame for the stadium issues? This has been a known issue at least at the SdF for a while. Ticketing was a fiasco and is one of the reasons I’m watching from the sofa so I’m not offering them any support!

Yes and no. Ultimately they are responsible for the private security for which they must take full blame for**. The police and gendarmerie are a law (literally) unto themselves.

** Checking bags etc before getting into the gates, only to do the same again is plain retarded.

Note that it was worse in Marseille by all accounts.

[BnM]

This Saffa kit is terrible. Looks like it should be worn by footballers.

[Biffer]

Dan Biggar ranting about how everyone else is shit is one of my happy places

[Simian]

Never sensible to boil a performance down to a player (and especially a player not playing), but Muntz would have meant Fiji won this

[Biffer]

Ref was never giving offside against wales there.

Absolute bs again.

[_Os_]

Some facts I've just noticed (they don't call me Ox-bot for nothing), for you Slick.

Five matches in Georgia have scored more points than any losing team so far. Only one losing side has scored as many tries as them (ABs and Georgia both scored twice), no losing side has scored more tries than them. The score line (lost by 20) is more comparable to the T1 v T1 matches (ABs lost by 14, Pumas lost by 17), than the T1 v T2 matches which were blowouts.

Credible argument that Georgia are best losing side so far, I wouldn't make it because they conceded a 4 try bonus point. But so far they've out scored the ABs/Namibia/Romania/Pumas.

Add Chile to the list.

Could be making a rod for my back with this one. But that's all part of the fun.

Add Scotland to the list.

Do not add Fiji to the list. Nothing there to worry about for a side which concedes 15 against the potent attacking force of Georgia with more points left on the park by Georgia, definitely not.

[Paddington Bear]

Some facts I've just noticed (they don't call me Ox-bot for nothing), for you Slick.

Five matches in Georgia have scored more points than any losing team so far. Only one losing side has scored as many tries as them (ABs and Georgia both scored twice), no losing side has scored more tries than them. The score line (lost by 20) is more comparable to the T1 v T1 matches (ABs lost by 14, Pumas lost by 17), than the T1 v T2 matches which were blowouts.

Credible argument that Georgia are best losing side so far, I wouldn't make it because they conceded a 4 try bonus point. But so far they've out scored the ABs/Namibia/Romania/Pumas.

Add Chile to the list.

Could be making a rod for my back with this one. But that's all part of the fun.

Add Scotland to the list.

Do not add Fiji to the list. Nothing there to worry about for a side which concedes 15 against the potent attacking force of Georgia with more points left on the park by Georgia, definitely not.

Yeah I have a suspicion that pool could be wild, and Fiji’s two bonus points may well have a big part to play in who goes through

[Sandstorm]

Fiji’s fitness was impressive and unusual for them. Still sprinting after 80 mins, including their big forwards.

[Torquemada 1420]

Well a weekend for the game's showpiece that left one ranging from underwhelmed to a bitter after taste
- Jacques Tati couldn't have done the opening ceremony better
- the butchering of the anthems across the piece
- the ridiculous security arrangements resulting in fans missing the start of games
- pretty underwhelming rugby, largely down to the heat
- SA's abortion of a kit
and then, the icing on the cake
- with an already ludicrously lopsided draw that left little wiggle in the 1/4 final stakes, we have an immediate reversion to "big team" reffing decisions
> Kriel was a red that everyone saw. Except the TMO and TV review team who claimed they missed it. Yet Ritchie specifically asked Gardner about it to be told it had been looked at and there was nothing there.
Would whoever is lying please stand up?
> At least that was a single error. Carley's disgusting bias to put Fiji out at the first hurdle merited a steward's enquiry.

Everyone may as well f**k off home now until the 14th October with the only thing to be decided is who wins Pool B. Play that game now and be done with it.

[JM2K6]

Hand on heart, I honestly thought the Kriel thing was fine even on the first replay because I thought he'd bounced off the ball. I totally missed the head contact. So I can see how it was missed in realtime. No excuse for the video spods though

[Torquemada 1420]

Hand on heart, I honestly thought the Kriel thing was fine even on the first replay because I thought he'd bounced off the ball. I totally missed the head contact. So I can see how it was missed in realtime. No excuse for the video spods though

I must have missed any replay in the game time. I'm assuming it was very short? Which is better than the zero replays we've not enjoyed to date.

Anyway, as you say, no excuses for the officials regardless of whether Ritchie specifically enquired into it.

[Sandstorm]

Hand on heart, I honestly thought the Kriel thing was fine even on the first replay because I thought he'd bounced off the ball. I totally missed the head contact. So I can see how it was missed in realtime. No excuse for the video spods though

Me too. Even the first replay they showed on TV didn’t show head contact. TMO must have been in the loo.

[average joe]

If I where you guys, I pray he doesn't get cited. Moody is waiting for his chance.

[ASMO]

So, the RWC report card for week 1

Venue Organisation B- With the exception of the England game, not heard of any other significant problems.

Anthems - Z - Absolutely terrible idea to get pre-recorded school choirs to sing them, ruins the atmosphere completely

Officials B- A mixed bag, some Howlers (Carley i mean you) and some decent performances as well.

Quality of games - B - Only 1 game that really lived up to the expectations, Wales v Fiji, the rest rated from decidedly average, to a complete borefest (Yes England i mean you)

Feel free to add your own

[charltom]

So, the RWC report card for week 1

Venue Organisation B- With the exception of the England game, not heard of any other significant problems.

Anthems - Z - Absolutely terrible idea to get pre-recorded school choirs to sing them, ruins the atmosphere completely

Officials B- A mixed bag, some Howlers (Carley i mean you) and some decent performances as well.

Quality of games - B - Only 1 game that really lived up to the expectations, Wales v Fiji, the rest rated from decidedly average, to a complete borefest (Yes England i mean you)

Feel free to add your own

I don't think they're pre-recorded. Wife says she bumped into lots of the choir members in the loo!

Also, they did all right (along with us) for Flower of Scotland, even if Eng and Arg anthems did sound awful.

[Torquemada 1420]

So, the RWC report card for week 1

Venue Organisation B- With the exception of the England game, not heard of any other significant problems.

Anthems - Z - Absolutely terrible idea to get pre-recorded school choirs to sing them, ruins the atmosphere completely

Officials B- A mixed bag, some Howlers (Carley i mean you) and some decent performances as well.

Quality of games - B - Only 1 game that really lived up to the expectations, Wales v Fiji, the rest rated from decidedly average, to a complete borefest (Yes England i mean you)

Feel free to add your own

I don't think they're pre-recorded. Wife says she bumped into lots of the choir members in the loo!

Also, they did all right (along with us) for Flower of Scotland, even if Eng and Arg anthems did sound awful.

What actually happened was the FFR promised all these choirs that they would perform on the day. Something like 25 choirs and several thousand kids across France.

They then backtracked at the last minute and did the recordings, meantime suggesting to the kids that they'd be better off staying at home and watching the games there. Some of the choirs declined and turned up to take their promised game viewings anyway. This whole scheme was the brainchild of Claude Atcher : he who was fired last year for .... well, you can read it here
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... y-climate/

If you believe the French press reports, there were claims that when the recordings were done instead, the kids weren't even given water or food because nobody had thought of that.

[Sandstorm]

The playing surfaces at all grounds are pristine. Amazing job by ground staff.