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

[westport]

Perfect result for everyone, apart from the convicts

[Torquemada 1420]

Classic game of two halves.

Not really, Portugal the better team both halves.

Indeed.

[tc27]

Defeat will probably fire Fiji up.

[Gumboot]

Classic game of two halves.

Not really, Portugal the better team both halves.

It was looking like a cripple fight at half time. I was thinking about watching an NFL game instead.

Edit: OK, just to clarify, I was referring to the quality of play, not about each team dominating a half.

[Paddington Bear]

Nothing less than they deserved. Delighted for them. Is this Portugal arriving into a rugby nation?

Sadly not. WR will starve them of any meaningful rugby and they'll get a few crumbs of funding: enough such that Braindead Billy and co have one less inflight whisky.

The counterpoint to this is being a western European nation they are a reasonably attractive commercial proposition, unlike a lot of their contemporaries

[Big D]

Nothing less than they deserved. Delighted for them. Is this Portugal arriving into a rugby nation?

Sadly not. WR will starve them of any meaningful rugby and they'll get a few crumbs of funding: enough such that Braindead Billy and co have one less inflight whisky.

The counterpoint to this is being a western European nation they are a reasonably attractive commercial proposition, unlike a lot of their contemporaries

Same time zone and easy to get to. The bigger nations really could send even A teams for games.

[ASMO]

BYE BYE EDDIE...FUCK RIGHT OFF AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOUR ARSE ON THE WAY OUT YOU CHANCER CUNT

[Gumboot]

[Paddington Bear]

BYE BYE EDDIE...FUCK RIGHT OFF AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOUR ARSE ON THE WAY OUT YOU CHANCER CUNT

Must have been a tough watch in the Qantas lounge at Charles de Gaulle

[Sandstorm]

BYE BYE EDDIE...FUCK RIGHT OFF AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOUR ARSE ON THE WAY OUT YOU CHANCER CUNT

This guy gets it.

[sockwithaticket]

Sadly not. WR will starve them of any meaningful rugby and they'll get a few crumbs of funding: enough such that Braindead Billy and co have one less inflight whisky.

The counterpoint to this is being a western European nation they are a reasonably attractive commercial proposition, unlike a lot of their contemporaries

Same time zone and easy to get to. The bigger nations really could send even A teams for games.

An idea I've seen mentioned somewhere is using the Lions year as a chance for a set of Euro tests where the Home Nations send, say, a XV or A team rather than senior side. It's a window that's been used a lot to play the US, Canada, Argentina and Japan; the latter pair already get tests against tier 1 regularly now (Japan would have had more were it not for covid) and the Northern American sides really need to demonstrate that they deserve such opportunities again after the last several years of results.

Not a tournament per se, because you want to be giving the Georgias, Portugals and Spains as many games in that window as possible rather than eliminating them

[sockwithaticket]

BYE BYE EDDIE...FUCK RIGHT OFF AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOUR ARSE ON THE WAY OUT YOU CHANCER CUNT

Portugal winning, Fiji still going through and that poisonous little dwarf not getting his team out of the pool is a sweet triumverate.

[Paddington Bear]

The counterpoint to this is being a western European nation they are a reasonably attractive commercial proposition, unlike a lot of their contemporaries

Same time zone and easy to get to. The bigger nations really could send even A teams for games.

An idea I've seen mentioned somewhere is using the Lions year as a chance for a set of Euro tests where the Home Nations send, say, a XV or A team rather than senior side. It's a window that's been used a lot to play the US, Canada, Argentina and Japan; the latter pair already get tests against tier 1 regularly now (Japan would have had more were it not for covid) and the Northern American sides really need to demonstrate that they deserve such opportunities again after the last several years of results.

Not a tournament per se, because you want to be giving the Georgias, Portugals and Spains as many games in that window as possible rather than eliminating them

Some sort of replacement to the Churchill Cup essentially.

Won’t pretend I’ve fully thought it through, but I’ve had an idea in my head for a while that each autumn half the 6N teams should commit to playing an AI against a Tier 2 European team, 1 game of which is away (maybe a reward for the winner of the ENC). The next year the others play etc.

[sockwithaticket]

Same time zone and easy to get to. The bigger nations really could send even A teams for games.

An idea I've seen mentioned somewhere is using the Lions year as a chance for a set of Euro tests where the Home Nations send, say, a XV or A team rather than senior side. It's a window that's been used a lot to play the US, Canada, Argentina and Japan; the latter pair already get tests against tier 1 regularly now (Japan would have had more were it not for covid) and the Northern American sides really need to demonstrate that they deserve such opportunities again after the last several years of results.

Not a tournament per se, because you want to be giving the Georgias, Portugals and Spains as many games in that window as possible rather than eliminating them

Some sort of replacement to the Churchill Cup essentially.

Won’t pretend I’ve fully thought it through, but I’ve had an idea in my head for a while that each autumn half the 6N teams should commit to playing an AI against a Tier 2 European team, 1 game of which is away (maybe a reward for the winner of the ENC). The next year the others play etc.

Yeah, just less frequent and closer to home.

I wouldn't be averse to resurrecting the CC either tbh, but with the RFU's finances being what they are thanks to the idiots in charge, I can't imagine there's much will to resurrect the Saxons (or England A as they pointlessly changed it to despite the team not really existing anymore).

[petej]

Same time zone and easy to get to. The bigger nations really could send even A teams for games.

An idea I've seen mentioned somewhere is using the Lions year as a chance for a set of Euro tests where the Home Nations send, say, a XV or A team rather than senior side. It's a window that's been used a lot to play the US, Canada, Argentina and Japan; the latter pair already get tests against tier 1 regularly now (Japan would have had more were it not for covid) and the Northern American sides really need to demonstrate that they deserve such opportunities again after the last several years of results.

Not a tournament per se, because you want to be giving the Georgias, Portugals and Spains as many games in that window as possible rather than eliminating them

Some sort of replacement to the Churchill Cup essentially.

Won’t pretend I’ve fully thought it through, but I’ve had an idea in my head for a while that each autumn half the 6N teams should commit to playing an AI against a Tier 2 European team, 1 game of which is away (maybe a reward for the winner of the ENC). The next year the others play etc.

The two bottom teams in the 6N should play an autumn international against the top two in the ENC with the team top of the ENC at home?

Almost a trial of relegation and promotion from the 6N. Eventually you could do an autumn relegation/promotion play off between bottom of 6N and top of ENC.

[sturginho]

Portugal may even give Italy a run for their mone on this form.

Italy played Portugal in Lisbon last summer and Portugal very nearly won

[Big D]

The counterpoint to this is being a western European nation they are a reasonably attractive commercial proposition, unlike a lot of their contemporaries

Same time zone and easy to get to. The bigger nations really could send even A teams for games.

An idea I've seen mentioned somewhere is using the Lions year as a chance for a set of Euro tests where the Home Nations send, say, a XV or A team rather than senior side. It's a window that's been used a lot to play the US, Canada, Argentina and Japan; the latter pair already get tests against tier 1 regularly now (Japan would have had more were it not for covid) and the Northern American sides really need to demonstrate that they deserve such opportunities again after the last several years of results.

Not a tournament per se, because you want to be giving the Georgias, Portugals and Spains as many games in that window as possible rather than eliminating them

Scotland do generally try that IIRC (tier 2 in general not Euro tier 2). We were due to visit Romania and Georgia, time before that it was Australia, Italy (in Aus) and Fiji. I believe we are due to tour all three PIs next summer too. Would love to see an A gane v Spain or Portugal on a Friday during the AIs but with the league continuing through the internationals i am not sure it is possible.

[Paddington Bear]

An idea I've seen mentioned somewhere is using the Lions year as a chance for a set of Euro tests where the Home Nations send, say, a XV or A team rather than senior side. It's a window that's been used a lot to play the US, Canada, Argentina and Japan; the latter pair already get tests against tier 1 regularly now (Japan would have had more were it not for covid) and the Northern American sides really need to demonstrate that they deserve such opportunities again after the last several years of results.

Not a tournament per se, because you want to be giving the Georgias, Portugals and Spains as many games in that window as possible rather than eliminating them

Some sort of replacement to the Churchill Cup essentially.

Won’t pretend I’ve fully thought it through, but I’ve had an idea in my head for a while that each autumn half the 6N teams should commit to playing an AI against a Tier 2 European team, 1 game of which is away (maybe a reward for the winner of the ENC). The next year the others play etc.

The two bottom teams in the 6N should play an autumn international against the top two in the ENC with the team top of the ENC at home?

Almost a trial of relegation and promotion from the 6N. Eventually you could do an autumn relegation/promotion play off between bottom of 6N and top of ENC.

Not opposed at all, I envisaged a more regular rotation as otherwise the agreement is Italy +1 (historically Scotland) get lumped with this every year. I increasingly like my ENC winner gets a home game thing - they can treat it as their shop window. If it’s Georgia, which it probably will be, roll out the red carpet in Tbilisi if they’re playing any of the 5, encourage fans over, get the media on board and put on a show. And make some money of course. If it’s Italy smash them and embarrass us into a decision.

[Lobby]

Some sort of replacement to the Churchill Cup essentially.

Won’t pretend I’ve fully thought it through, but I’ve had an idea in my head for a while that each autumn half the 6N teams should commit to playing an AI against a Tier 2 European team, 1 game of which is away (maybe a reward for the winner of the ENC). The next year the others play etc.

The two bottom teams in the 6N should play an autumn international against the top two in the ENC with the team top of the ENC at home?

Almost a trial of relegation and promotion from the 6N. Eventually you could do an autumn relegation/promotion play off between bottom of 6N and top of ENC.

Not opposed at all, I envisaged a more regular rotation as otherwise the agreement is Italy +1 (historically Scotland) get lumped with this every year. I increasingly like my ENC winner gets a home game thing - they can treat it as their shop window. If it’s Georgia, which it probably will be, roll out the red carpet in Tbilisi if they’re playing any of the 5, encourage fans over, get the media on board and put on a show. And make some money of course. If it’s Italy smash them and embarrass us into a decision.

Georgia have had a pretty disappointing World Cup. Its the first time since 2003 they failed to win a match and also the first time they have come last in their group since then. They were fortunate to scrape a draw with Portugal. They've also now dropped below Portugal in the Rankings and are now 14th (not surprising after Portugal's result yesterday).

I thought they'd do better especially after they managed first ever wins over Italy and Wales last year.

[Sandstorm]

Portugal proved that you don't need to have massive, bruising players who try to smash through defences for 80 mins or hoof the leather off the ball. Instead they moved the ball by hand, passed and offloaded every chance they got and made easy meters! Most of the Tier 1 teams could learn a lot from them.

[sockwithaticket]

The two bottom teams in the 6N should play an autumn international against the top two in the ENC with the team top of the ENC at home?

Almost a trial of relegation and promotion from the 6N. Eventually you could do an autumn relegation/promotion play off between bottom of 6N and top of ENC.

Not opposed at all, I envisaged a more regular rotation as otherwise the agreement is Italy +1 (historically Scotland) get lumped with this every year. I increasingly like my ENC winner gets a home game thing - they can treat it as their shop window. If it’s Georgia, which it probably will be, roll out the red carpet in Tbilisi if they’re playing any of the 5, encourage fans over, get the media on board and put on a show. And make some money of course. If it’s Italy smash them and embarrass us into a decision.

Georgia have had a pretty disappointing World Cup. Its the first time since 2003 they failed to win a match and also the first time they have come last in their group since then. They were fortunate to scrape a draw with Portugal. They've also now dropped below Portugal in the Rankings and are now 14th (not surprising after Portugal's result yesterday).

I thought they'd do better especially after they managed first ever wins over Italy and Wales last year.

They also handed Portugal a heavy defeat in this year's REC. The set up will defiitely want to look at their tournament prep as something's clearly gone a bit wrong since the spring.

[sockwithaticket]

Portugal proved that you don't need to have massive, bruising players who try to smash through defences for 80 mins or hoof the leather off the ball. Instead they moved the ball by hand, passed and offloaded every chance they got and made easy meters! Most of the Tier 1 teams could learn a lot from them.

I do wonder if that's really caught some tier 1 teams on the hop, they're being confronted with playing styles that don't stick to the orthodoxies of tier 1 test rugby.

[Paddington Bear]

The two bottom teams in the 6N should play an autumn international against the top two in the ENC with the team top of the ENC at home?

Almost a trial of relegation and promotion from the 6N. Eventually you could do an autumn relegation/promotion play off between bottom of 6N and top of ENC.

Not opposed at all, I envisaged a more regular rotation as otherwise the agreement is Italy +1 (historically Scotland) get lumped with this every year. I increasingly like my ENC winner gets a home game thing - they can treat it as their shop window. If it’s Georgia, which it probably will be, roll out the red carpet in Tbilisi if they’re playing any of the 5, encourage fans over, get the media on board and put on a show. And make some money of course. If it’s Italy smash them and embarrass us into a decision.

Georgia have had a pretty disappointing World Cup. Its the first time since 2003 they failed to win a match and also the first time they have come last in their group since then. They were fortunate to scrape a draw with Portugal. They've also now dropped below Portugal in the Rankings and are now 14th (not surprising after Portugal's result yesterday).

I thought they'd do better especially after they managed first ever wins over Italy and Wales last year.

They could have scored 20+ in the first half v Portugal and similar against Fiji, and we’re within a score of Wales with what 15 to go? Better execution in the 22 and that game Saturday would have been them going for a quarter. Appreciate there’s a lot of what ifs there but still, they’re a decent side

[Niegs]

Portugal proved that you don't need to have massive, bruising players who try to smash through defences for 80 mins or hoof the leather off the ball. Instead they moved the ball by hand, passed and offloaded every chance they got and made easy meters! Most of the Tier 1 teams could learn a lot from them.

... playing out the back of a pod, too.

With so many 'decoys' that are clearly not options, I feel like Krusty watching the Generals v Globe Trotters. "They're clearly passing behind! Don't bite on the front runners!"

[BnM]

[fishfoodie]

There's a real danger that this RWC might turn a profit

[sockwithaticket]

There's a real danger that this RWC might turn a profit

It's going to need to. There's a real danger that the next two are going to be pretty fiscally bleak for World Rugby.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

It's going to need to. There's a real danger that the next two are going to be pretty fiscally bleak for World Rugby.

Don't they get their money upfront?

[inactionman]

Robert Kitson showing remarkable insouciance to the mockers' gods:

Northern powerhouses aim to shut south out of World Cup semi-finals
Each quarter-final pits a northern hemisphere group winner against a runner-up from the southern hemisphere. Could a historic lockout be made in France this weekend?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -breakdown

You've done it now, Bobby my boy.

[Sandstorm]

Robert Kitson showing remarkable insouciance to the mockers' gods:

Northern powerhouses aim to shut south out of World Cup semi-finals
Each quarter-final pits a northern hemisphere group winner against a runner-up from the southern hemisphere. Could a historic lockout be made in France this weekend?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -breakdown

You've done it now, Bobby my boy.

Ireland
England
Argentina
SA

[clydecloggie]

Wales - Argentina must be the lowest-quality QF match-up ever.

Hoping Fiji can do one on England, and I've seen nothing from England suggesting they're better now than they were at Twickenham in August.

The two Qfs that will provide the eventual finalists are too close to call.

[sockwithaticket]

Wales - Argentina must be the lowest-quality QF match-up ever.

Hoping Fiji can do one on England, and I've seen nothing from England suggesting they're better now than they were at Twickenham in August.

The two Qfs that will provide the eventual finalists are too close to call.

Fiji aren't looking too hot either. Struggling against Georgia and Portugal, however spirited those sides must be, doesn't scream "winning quarter-finalist".

[inactionman]

Wales - Argentina must be the lowest-quality QF match-up ever.

Hoping Fiji can do one on England, and I've seen nothing from England suggesting they're better now than they were at Twickenham in August.

The two Qfs that will provide the eventual finalists are too close to call.

Fiji aren't looking too hot either. Struggling against Georgia and Portugal, however spirited those sides must be, doesn't scream "winning quarter-finalist".

We'll make them look like champions, don't you worry.

[sockwithaticket]

It's going to need to. There's a real danger that the next two are going to be pretty fiscally bleak for World Rugby.

Don't they get their money upfront?

I thought they took a cut of the proceeds too, but searching anything involving the words 'world rugby' and 'rugby world cup' is proving a little futile at the moment so I can't back that up.

[colonel]

Robert Kitson showing remarkable insouciance to the mockers' gods:

Northern powerhouses aim to shut south out of World Cup semi-finals
Each quarter-final pits a northern hemisphere group winner against a runner-up from the southern hemisphere. Could a historic lockout be made in France this weekend?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... -breakdown

You've done it now, Bobby my boy.

Ireland
England
Argentina
SA

3 underdogs go through? Bold

[Rhubarb & Custard]

It's going to need to. There's a real danger that the next two are going to be pretty fiscally bleak for World Rugby.

Don't they get their money upfront?

I thought they took a cut of the proceeds too, but searching anything involving the words 'world rugby' and 'rugby world cup' is proving a little futile at the moment so I can't back that up.

Ah, then it might be guaranteed money upfront, but if their cut of the takings go above they'll switch to taking their 'share'

If the world of rugby votes to send the event to places that don't stump up the cash upfront, and let's face if that's why we're in France not SA, that's what they vote for. It does beg the question how many nations can possibly be a sole host now? You'd have England and France, and then one off bids from Italy, USA, Australia maybe, maybe even SA if they can sort the finances (so probably not)

You could look a joint hosts, but it'd be a lot of money to stump up for say just one quarter-final and maybe a semi-final, depending on if there were 2 or 3 countries hosting

[clydecloggie]

Don't they get their money upfront?

I thought they took a cut of the proceeds too, but searching anything involving the words 'world rugby' and 'rugby world cup' is proving a little futile at the moment so I can't back that up.

Ah, then it might be guaranteed money upfront, but if their cut of the takings go above they'll switch to taking their 'share'

If the world of rugby votes to send the event to places that don't stump up the cash upfront, and let's face if that's why we're in France not SA, that's what they vote for. It does beg the question how many nations can possibly be a sole host now? You'd have England and France, and then one off bids from Italy, USA, Australia maybe, maybe even SA if they can sort the finances (so probably not)

You could look a joint hosts, but it'd be a lot of money to stump up for say just one quarter-final and maybe a semi-final, depending on if there were 2 or 3 countries hosting

it's Australia in '27 and USA in '31, right? So two countries that couldn't care less about rugby (union, in Oz case), with shite kick-off times for big markets in Europe and SA. Not likely to be money spinners, those two.

[sockwithaticket]

Wales - Argentina must be the lowest-quality QF match-up ever.

Hoping Fiji can do one on England, and I've seen nothing from England suggesting they're better now than they were at Twickenham in August.

The two Qfs that will provide the eventual finalists are too close to call.

Fiji aren't looking too hot either. Struggling against Georgia and Portugal, however spirited those sides must be, doesn't scream "winning quarter-finalist".

We'll make them look like champions, don't you worry.

[fishfoodie]

I thought they took a cut of the proceeds too, but searching anything involving the words 'world rugby' and 'rugby world cup' is proving a little futile at the moment so I can't back that up.

Ah, then it might be guaranteed money upfront, but if their cut of the takings go above they'll switch to taking their 'share'

If the world of rugby votes to send the event to places that don't stump up the cash upfront, and let's face if that's why we're in France not SA, that's what they vote for. It does beg the question how many nations can possibly be a sole host now? You'd have England and France, and then one off bids from Italy, USA, Australia maybe, maybe even SA if they can sort the finances (so probably not)

You could look a joint hosts, but it'd be a lot of money to stump up for say just one quarter-final and maybe a semi-final, depending on if there were 2 or 3 countries hosting

it's Australia in '27 and USA in '31, right? So two countries that couldn't care less about rugby (union, in Oz case), with shite kick-off times for big markets in Europe and SA. Not likely to be money spinners, those two.

I think it was one of the sports radio shows here I heard the explanation on; the real reason why we're going to 24 teams for the next RWC, is so that the USA, & Canada can't fuck up qualification, & this is hoped to improve attendances.

It's makes sense from the POV of a room temperature IQ promoter, but it'll make for a shit load of dire matches, & I'll be amazed if it adds significantly to to the attendance figures.

[Tichtheid]

I don't know, Canada are currently 23rd in the rankings, one above Hong Kong China, there is time for them to really fuck it up before the next World Cup.

I always supported Canada and it pains me to see them in the mire like this.

As for the USA, World Rugby are chasing the dollar but the USA has no real interest, football, proper football played with the feet, is the most popular sport in the world and I remember Pele trying to kick start the game there whilst he was still a great player, nowt, nada, no interest really in the men's game.

The USA will stick to their sports, why wouldn't they?