NPR

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:58 pm

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:57 pm Classic game of two halves.

Not really, Portugal the better team both halves.

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:58 pm

Gumboot wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:57 pm Classic game of two halves.

Not really, Portugal the better team both halves.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:57 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:52 pm 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.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:01 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:57 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:52 pm 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

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:05 pm BYE BYE EDDIE...FUCK RIGHT OFF AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOUR ARSE ON THE WAY OUT YOU CHANCER CUNT

ASMO wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:05 pm BYE BYE EDDIE...FUCK RIGHT OFF AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOUR ARSE ON THE WAY OUT YOU CHANCER CUNT

Big D wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:04 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:01 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:57 pm

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 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:05 pm BYE BYE EDDIE...FUCK RIGHT OFF AND DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOUR ARSE ON THE WAY OUT YOU CHANCER CUNT

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:15 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:04 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:01 pm
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

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:20 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:15 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:04 pm

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.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:20 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:15 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:04 pm

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.

Bloutoria wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:54 pm Portugal may even give Italy a run for their mone on this form.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:15 pm

Big D wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:04 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:01 pm
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

petej wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:02 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:20 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:15 pm

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.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:06 am

petej wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:02 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 9:20 pm

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 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:30 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:06 am

petej wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:02 am
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 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 12:02 pm 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.

Lobby wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:30 am

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:06 am

petej wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:02 am
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 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 12:02 pm 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.

BnM wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:47 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 10:29 pm

BnM wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 9:47 pm

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

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:03 pm

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.

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?

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:51 am 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.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:33 am 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 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:57 am

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:33 am 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".

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:13 am

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:03 pm

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?

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:57 am

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:51 am 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

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:19 pm

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:13 am

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Oct 09, 2023 11:03 pm

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.

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:33 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:19 pm

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 10:13 am

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

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:16 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:57 am

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:33 am 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.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:19 pm

Rhubarb & Custard wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 1:33 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:19 pm

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.