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

[sockwithaticket]

I hadn't checked the rest of the fixtures for the weekend until just now. Looks like five foregone conclusions.

If Fiji are “off” and their match with Georgia turns into an arm wrestle, I can definitely see that being a close contest resulting in a Georgian win.

While I won’t exactly bet on a Portuguese upset of Australia, depending how depressed the Aussies are, maybe that turns into a contest? Either way, do like watching Os Lobos play, so will try to tune in for that.

Won’t blame anyone for skipping Chile-Argentina, but I for one am excited to see the first all-Hispanic RWC match in history…we’re comin baby

SCO-ROM and SA-Tonga are pretty much training runs though, yeah.

The derby element might make Argentina - Chile an interesting watch, but I think expecting anything out of the games involving Georgia and Portgual displays more optimism than I can muster.

[Fonz]

I hadn't checked the rest of the fixtures for the weekend until just now. Looks like five foregone conclusions.

If Fiji are “off” and their match with Georgia turns into an arm wrestle, I can definitely see that being a close contest resulting in a Georgian win.

While I won’t exactly bet on a Portuguese upset of Australia, depending how depressed the Aussies are, maybe that turns into a contest? Either way, do like watching Os Lobos play, so will try to tune in for that.

Won’t blame anyone for skipping Chile-Argentina, but I for one am excited to see the first all-Hispanic RWC match in history…we’re comin baby

SCO-ROM and SA-Tonga are pretty much training runs though, yeah.

The derby element might make Argentina - Chile an interesting watch, but I think expecting anything out of the games involving Georgia and Portgual displays more optimism than I can muster.

To be sure, Portugal WILL NOT beat Australia, but I don’t think Georgia beating Fiji is beyond the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely. Georgia will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing result last week, and I could see Fiji being complacent. Only if the game really opens up do I see a Georgian manshaming on the cards.

And these teams did tie the last time they played in 2021…

[sockwithaticket]

If Fiji are “off” and their match with Georgia turns into an arm wrestle, I can definitely see that being a close contest resulting in a Georgian win.

While I won’t exactly bet on a Portuguese upset of Australia, depending how depressed the Aussies are, maybe that turns into a contest? Either way, do like watching Os Lobos play, so will try to tune in for that.

Won’t blame anyone for skipping Chile-Argentina, but I for one am excited to see the first all-Hispanic RWC match in history…we’re comin baby

SCO-ROM and SA-Tonga are pretty much training runs though, yeah.

The derby element might make Argentina - Chile an interesting watch, but I think expecting anything out of the games involving Georgia and Portgual displays more optimism than I can muster.

To be sure, Portugal WILL NOT beat Australia, but I don’t think Georgia beating Fiji is beyond the realm of possibility, albeit unlikely. Georgia will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing result last week, and I could see Fiji being complacent. Only if the game really opens up do I see a Georgian manshaming on the cards.

And these teams did tie the last time they played in 2021…

Given relative form at the tournement it seems unlikely and the last time they played was before the Drua were elevated to Super Rugby. Two seasons of that seems to have done Fiji the power of good from what we've seen in recent autumn tests and now the world cup.

[LenCohen]

I know I keep rattling on about it, but it is a bugbear of mine - you don't manage risks simply by punishing transgression.

WRU and others have a duty of care to mitigate the risk of physical injury, and they're not really doing it regarding head knocks.

As analogy, it's no use someone in a factory sticking up a sign saying 'hot pipe - don't touch' and thinking that was their duty for that risk discharged. They need to actually prevent people touching the pipe - insulate it, place it away from where people walk, anything.

Of course, rugby is different and players accept some degree of risk, but the effects of repeated head knocks are debilitating and nothing has effectively changed to reduce that risk - except punishing transgression, which isn't completely effective.

I'll admit I'm not sure whether the instances of head shots have declined, maybe it has, but we're just focusing more upon the residuals. I don't know, but we've not finished the job.

Regarding head shots, just watched first half of st Helens v Warrington and every third tackle would have been a yellow or red in current union rules. Truly bizarre state of affairs

[Tichtheid]

I know I keep rattling on about it, but it is a bugbear of mine - you don't manage risks simply by punishing transgression.

WRU and others have a duty of care to mitigate the risk of physical injury, and they're not really doing it regarding head knocks.

As analogy, it's no use someone in a factory sticking up a sign saying 'hot pipe - don't touch' and thinking that was their duty for that risk discharged. They need to actually prevent people touching the pipe - insulate it, place it away from where people walk, anything.

Of course, rugby is different and players accept some degree of risk, but the effects of repeated head knocks are debilitating and nothing has effectively changed to reduce that risk - except punishing transgression, which isn't completely effective.

I'll admit I'm not sure whether the instances of head shots have declined, maybe it has, but we're just focusing more upon the residuals. I don't know, but we've not finished the job.

Regarding head shots, just watched first half of st Helens v Warrington and every third tackle would have been a yellow or red in current union rules. Truly bizarre state of affairs

I wonder how long that will last?
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -fight-rfl

[LenCohen]

Well the fact that no one bats an eyelid (crowd, ref, commentayors, other players) at what in union would be the most egregious of tackles, suggests smashing people above chest height is still very much the norm

[Simian]

I know I keep rattling on about it, but it is a bugbear of mine - you don't manage risks simply by punishing transgression.

WRU and others have a duty of care to mitigate the risk of physical injury, and they're not really doing it regarding head knocks.

As analogy, it's no use someone in a factory sticking up a sign saying 'hot pipe - don't touch' and thinking that was their duty for that risk discharged. They need to actually prevent people touching the pipe - insulate it, place it away from where people walk, anything.

Of course, rugby is different and players accept some degree of risk, but the effects of repeated head knocks are debilitating and nothing has effectively changed to reduce that risk - except punishing transgression, which isn't completely effective.

I'll admit I'm not sure whether the instances of head shots have declined, maybe it has, but we're just focusing more upon the residuals. I don't know, but we've not finished the job.

Regarding head shots, just watched first half of st Helens v Warrington and every third tackle would have been a yellow or red in current union rules. Truly bizarre state of affairs

the laws about tackles with contact above the shoulders are different, aren't they? In union, it's foul play if there is any contact above the shoulders during the tackle (even if it's not direct). I haven't watched much English league for a few years now, but I think their laws say contact with the head or neck needs to be intentional or reckless to be foul play.

[LenCohen]

The laws seem to be pretty much anything goes. Tough, tough men.

[LenCohen]

Not a single Argentinian Itv could have found. Even Parisse is essentially an argie, get him in again

[Slick]

Och come on, what was the point in that. Seen lots of passes more forward resulting in tries and the touch judge who was level waved it on.

[Oxbow]

Och come on, what was the point in that. Seen lots of passes more forward resulting in tries and the touch judge who was level waved it on.

Yeah, shame, it was a nicely-worked try.

[Simian]

was there any attempt to wrap in the final tackle on the chilean 7 there?

[Fonz]

I know I keep rattling on about it, but it is a bugbear of mine - you don't manage risks simply by punishing transgression.

WRU and others have a duty of care to mitigate the risk of physical injury, and they're not really doing it regarding head knocks.

As analogy, it's no use someone in a factory sticking up a sign saying 'hot pipe - don't touch' and thinking that was their duty for that risk discharged. They need to actually prevent people touching the pipe - insulate it, place it away from where people walk, anything.

Of course, rugby is different and players accept some degree of risk, but the effects of repeated head knocks are debilitating and nothing has effectively changed to reduce that risk - except punishing transgression, which isn't completely effective.

I'll admit I'm not sure whether the instances of head shots have declined, maybe it has, but we're just focusing more upon the residuals. I don't know, but we've not finished the job.

This is obviously a massive discussion and I don't want to derail this thread, but I will just state...

...while I certainly won't hold myself out to be some great legal mind, neither I nor any of the other actual l*wyers on the bored when those lawsuits started getting filed thought they had a snowball's chance in hell of succeeding on the merits. I will give you points for a pretty thoughtful analogy, but (as you readily recognize) it is inapposite for obvious and critical reasons. (Conceding here that I don't know if the relevant British/Aussie/whatever law is the same as American law, but my understanding is that the law as to torts is generally the same across the Anglosphere, owing to our common origin).

This is of course to say nothing as to whether there is a moral argument to be made here. But if the argument is that we should be doing all of this to avoid legal repercussions down the road, I would advise people not to buy it.

Putting my cards on the table with respect to the bigger picture though, I just...really can't understand how others perceive this game, such that they think we can actually make rugby "safe" while still allowing players to play this game in a way that it makes sense to play it. To me, "let's make rugby safe" is only slightly more coherent than "let's make fire cold." I want to still have rugby. Nobody has to play if they think it's too dangerous.

[Insane_Homer]

that Chilean blonde in the crowd just won it for me.

She inspired them, clearly.
TRY!

[Paddington Bear]

They’ve fully deserved that try

[Fonz]

They’ve fully deserved that try

Just didn't want them to get nilled again!

[Fonz]

that Chilean blonde in the crowd just won it for me.

She inspired them, clearly.
TRY!

The rise of Latin American rugby is going to do wonders for the rugby fanbase's babe quotient.

[Paddington Bear]

Chile have been good value at their first world cup, I’m sure we’ll see them again.

Pains me to say it with my family connections but they’ve been far better value than the Canadians would have been as well

[tc27]

Flatman is by far ITVs best pundit/ anchor

[topofthemoon]

All 256 remaining permutations for Pool D at the 2023 RWC:

https://twitter.com/topofthemoonGW/stat ... 4040680792

This one can be simplified down massively.

England v Samoa is irrelevant - England finish first.

If Japan beat Argentina, Japan progress.
If Argentina beat Japan, Argentina progress.
If Japan and Argentina draw, Argentina progress unless Japan get a try BP and Argentina do not.

[C69]

Should be a very easy win for Fiji. I just hope there are no injuries or red cards.
Fiji v England is going to be a cracker

Fiji to pull away 2nd half but win by 25 plus

[Sandstorm]

Fiji very casual so far.

[fishfoodie]

Georgia look fired up

[Fonz]

Georgia with some nice passages of play. Their backs really have come on in recent years.

[Paddington Bear]

Georgia are so profligate

[Fonz]

Fiji very casual so far.

As if any more evidence was needed, the prop with the quick tap...

Fiji isn't good enough to coast through this, especially if they think they can just run over the Georgians. Say what will you will about the Lelos, but they don't mind physicality one bit.

[BnM]

What happened to the player stretchered off, only just got home?

[tc27]

Bright start by Georgia but they are already fading

[Fonz]

What happened to the player stretchered off, only just got home?

Leg got trapped under a ruck, ugly injury.

[BnM]

What happened to the player stretchered off, only just got home?

Leg got trapped under a ruck, ugly injury.

Ughh.. Thanks

[C69]

9 -0 to Georgia

Rugby AIDS

[sockwithaticket]

Fiji have been far, far too casual and haven't shown enough respect to the Georgian defence.

Being proven very wrong about this one so far. Kudos, Georgia.

[PCPhil]

9 -0 to Georgia

Rugby AIDS

How so? Georgians tackling like demons.

[Fonz]

9 -0 to Georgia

Rugby AIDS

How so? Georgians tackling like demons.

+1, enjoying this. Big manly rugby for big manly men like us, Phil.

[PCPhil]

I feel so butch.

[Ymx]

This is panning out to be an interesting game !!!

[tabascoboy]

Half time team talk in the Fiji camp will be...interesting

[C69]

Never forward

[Ymx]

That pass was not forward with momentum taken in to account.

[C69]

9 -0 to Georgia

Rugby AIDS

How so? Georgians tackling like demons.

+1, enjoying this. Big manly rugby for big manly men like us, Phil.

It's very enjoyable but too many handling errors and poor plays.
Georgia do what Georgia do.