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

[PCPhil]

Italy by minus 50.
Is that the way it works?

Edit. Minus 80.

[Torquemada 1420]

Is this going to be another Italian capitulation?

[Enzedder]

Is this going to be another Italian capitulation?

I think France has set themselves a target of beating the ABs margin

[Certain Navigator]

Is this going to be another Italian capitulation?

I think France has set themselves a target of beating the ABs margin

So has this ref — the only thing that appears to be keeping him in check is the TMO. Among other things, he's completely forgotten the requirement for the (French) tackler to release.

[Biffer]

I’m beginning to come round the a 6N A & B with a playoff. Imagine a year of games potentially in Lisbon, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Tbilisi and Hamburg .Reckon you would still fill a stadium for a 6Nb fixture against this lot

Imagine a bankrupt SRU with more than half its income removed, pro clubs shut down and no investment in grass roots.

[Slick]

I’m beginning to come round the a 6N A & B with a playoff. Imagine a year of games potentially in Lisbon, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Tbilisi and Hamburg .Reckon you would still fill a stadium for a 6Nb fixture against this lot

Imagine a bankrupt SRU with more than half its income removed, pro clubs shut down and no investment in grass roots.

That is the downside I guess

[C69]

So who are the Scottish going to be supporting next week?

[GrahamWa]

So who are the Scottish going to be supporting next week?

The least able cripple left in the fight. Wales might get the tartan vote.

[C69]

So who are the Scottish going to be supporting next week?

The least able cripple left in the fight. Wales might get the tartan vote.

If Wales play Japan then I suspect Japan would be getting my vote.

[BnM]

Likely to be
Fra/SA
England Fiji
Wales Argentina
Ireland NZ

Spot the odd one out.

[Torquemada 1420]

We could save everybody wasting time after tonight's last game. Assuming Ire win, we need only play SA v Fra to determine who then meets Ire in the final.

[JM2K6]

Eh, possibilities of upsets in every tie.

[Biffer]

So who are the Scottish going to be supporting next week?

The least able cripple left in the fight. Wales might get the tartan vote.

Spain next Sunday. So long as they don't lose against Norway we qualify for the European Championships (football) in Germany next year.

[sefton]

Seedings haven’t worked with four best sides in the world facing off at the QF stage.

[fishfoodie]

Seedings haven’t worked with four best sides in the world facing off at the QF stage.

Well spotted Seft. It's a mystery how that went in Wales's favour. A mystery. A conundrum

Ordinarily I'd suspect some skullduggery; but I don't think there's anyone in World Rugby who could be bought off by the offer of a sheep, & a big bag of chip ?

[Niegs]

Has anyone figured out how to stop the pull back pass / second man play yet? Seems highly successful given that I mostly only watch highlights and it features in a lot of the wide tries.

[TheNatalShark]

Has anyone figured out how to stop the pull back pass / second man play yet? Seems highly successful given that I mostly only watch highlights and it features in a lot of the wide tries.

Look how Ireland and SA defended against Scotland

[Lobby]

I'm not sure its been mentioned yet, but this is the first time at a World Cup that all the groups have finished with 6N teams in first place.

[sockwithaticket]

I'm not sure its been mentioned yet, but this is the first time at a World Cup that all the groups have finished with 6N teams in first place.

NH domination, baby.

[sockwithaticket]

Flatman's just said of Scotland and Australia being knocked out that two teams who could've won the whole thing are leaving.

Now I understand a bit of tyre pumping from broadcasters, but come on.

[C69]

Flatman's just said of Scotland and Australia being knocked out that two teams who could've won the whole thing are leaving.

Now I understand a bit of tyre pumping from broadcasters, but come on.

Yip no way either of these 2 poor teams that have been easily beaten in the group stages would have even progressed in the knock out stages let alone win the RWC.

Scotland and OZ level is where it ....out at the group stages

France NZ SA and Ireland are the only teams that can win this RWC.
No other teams get a look in

[ASMO]

I honestly have a horrible feeling that SA are gonna win it, 4 more years of insufferable Saffer cunts awaits.

[C69]

I honestly have a horrible feeling that SA are gonna win it, 4 more years of insufferable Saffer cunts awaits.

SA or NZ for me

[Enzedder]

I honestly have a horrible feeling that SA are gonna win it, 4 more years of insufferable Saffer cunts awaits.

That isn't what worries me - I don't have to read or listen.

What worries me is that we will all end up playing that shite brand of rugby.

[Enzedder]

Tonga going to be playing with only 14 men after this card is reviewed.

Leading 21-10 after 32 minutes but this will even it up.

Later: Bugger me - it's stayed a yellow. Good for this game but I am not following the rulings these days

[Paddington Bear]

Shocking call from the bunker

[Stranger]

That was one of the clearer reds for me.

[Sandstorm]

I honestly have a horrible feeling that SA are gonna win it, 4 more years of insufferable Saffer cunts awaits.

Mate, we’ll be the same if we win it or not.

[petej]

nice try by romania

[Stranger]

Really decent sized crowd again for two tier two teams

[Paddington Bear]

Romania are totally shagged but they should be proud of their effort here. If Tonga had got the red card they deserved I wonder if this might have been different

[Bloutoria]

I honestly have a horrible feeling that SA are gonna win it, 4 more years of insufferable Saffer cunts awaits.

You meen our usual sunny demeanour?

[Stranger]

I enjoyed that game , good effort from Romania.

[Gumboot]

Here's hoping Fiji put on a show against Portugal.

[Gumboot]

Fiji making a ton of errors. Not clicking yet, but it feels like just a matter of time.

[Paddington Bear]

Fiji are making exceptionally heavy weather of this

[Gumboot]

This is dreadful. Fiji getting pinged off the park.

[tc27]

Quite a reassuring match from a England POV.


Portugal doing good stuff but their handling keeps letting them down.

[PCPhil]

This is dreadful. Fiji getting pinged off the park.

Agreed. Should probably stop giving away penalties?

[Gumboot]

3-all at half time. Fiji look well out of sorts.

This is a tough watch.