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

[lemonhead]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... -world-cup

Can see them winning a big game.

The sheer amount of criticism and writing off usually gets a performance from somewhere, although whether that's a quarter final, Argentina or a thorough fisting of Chile....who knows.

[fishfoodie]

Irish Injuries update:

Dan Sheehan, Jack Conan and Dave Kilcoyne will all sit out Ireland's Rugby World Cup opener against Romania on Saturday, but Irish management are confident the trio could be available for the second Pool B game against Tonga next week.

Sheehan and Conan have both brought foot injuries into the tournament; Sheehan picked up his issue against England, while Conan suffered his knock against Italy just over four weeks ago.

Likewise, Kilcoyne hasn't featured since the first warm-up against Italy, having strained a hamstring at the warm-weather training camp in Portugal.

Being rumored that Sexy will play a part in all the early games, to get him match fit.

[C69]

Welsh camp reports all fit and tearing things up in training.
Will be close to getting to another semi final again.

Very interesting to see who Gats picks.
For me the Welsh player I think will impress the most will be Dewi Lake. A man mountain, if he can get his darts sorted he will be world class.

[boere wors]

Quite interesting. Boks have by far the oldest RWC squad

[topofthemoon]

Some analysis of the countries providing RWC refs - and those that don't. Looking at you Argentina, Italy and Scotland..

http://ontopofthemoon.com/2023/09/03/ru ... -referees/

[Guy Smiley]

Kiwi rugby show I watch each week that features some decent analysis from relevant (ex) players as opposed to Old Boys' Backslappery



this week they've got Ben Darwin guesting with an interesting chat about 'Cohesion Dynamics' which is essentially about how well the members of a team know each other's play. He has some interesting things to say about the fragility of the top contenders. He's early on in a one hour show, if you're interested it's an decent watch.

[Sinkers]

Not a criticism, just an observation, but I think I’ve only ever seen videos etc on cohesion from Australians. Often seemingly to justify that the wallabies were better when they picked the majority of their squad from just one SR franchise.

[Guy Smiley]

Not a criticism, just an observation, but I think I’ve only ever seen videos etc on cohesion from Australians. Often seemingly to justify that the wallabies were better when they picked the majority of their squad from just one SR franchise.

Possibly...

my seat of the pants impression is that Australia offers more in the way of corporate openings to ex players and there's a faint but discernible pathway into performance consultancy and the likes.

I think it's entirely relevant and a massive factor for teams to grapple with internally going into this tournament. Australia are basically sailing in with untried combos everywhere, perhaps hoping for things to gel as the games progress. NZ under Foster have failed to understand the idea of settled combinations or selections and it will be the Achilles heel of this comp for them. I found Darwin's comments about France illuminating... they are fragile due to key players' unavailability and while he sees Ireland as being in the best shape now, they're only an injury or two away from the same fragility.

[Paddington Bear]

Drew Italy in the office sweepstake ffs

[Sinkers]

Fiji losing Muntz for the duration is a blow.

[Simian]

Fiji losing Muntz for the duration is a blow.

Just saw that. It really is. He's made a big difference to them, imo.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/66727297

[_Os_]

Is there a prediction comp? Torq normally runs these?

I've gone through my picks/route. I am ready for the Bok v Ireland final, Boks playing in their teal away kit that was only supposed to sell novelty away jerseys not be used for such a massive match.

[Sandstorm]

Drew Italy in the office sweepstake ffs

Oh noes. I got Uruguay. And I'm running the bloody thing!

[OomStruisbaai]

Is there a prediction comp? Torq normally runs these?

I've gone through my picks/route. I am ready for the Bok v Ireland final, Boks playing in their teal away kit that was only supposed to sell novelty away jerseys not be used for such a massive match.

Yep there is one.

Join Plan et rugby, my World Cup Predictor league on Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/worldcup_predi ... p=12594481

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

duetabut

[laurent]

Fiji losing Muntz for the duration is a blow.

Wow that sucks ... big time

[C69]

Fiji losing Muntz for the duration is a blow.

Wow that sucks ... big time

Loads of teams have players out.
Wales for instance lost their best Hooker.

I suspect there will be quite a few more Injuries.
But yes it seemed a bit of control and stability was being given to Fiji by Muntz

[sturginho]

Namibia

1 Desiderius Sethie
2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld
3 Johan Coetzee
4 Adriaan Ludick
5 Tjiuee Uanivi
6 Wian Conradie
7 Johan Retief
8 Richard Hardwick
9 Damian Stevens
10 Tiaan Swanepoel
11 JC Greyling
12 Danco Burger
13 Johan Deysel (c)
14 Gerswin Mouton
15 Divan Rossouw

16 Louis van der Westhuizen
17 Jason Benade
18 Casper Viviers
19 Tiaan De Klerk
20 Prince Gaoseb
21 Jacques Theron
22 Andre van der Bergh
23 Le Roux Malan

Italy:

15 Tommaso ALLAN (Perpignan, 75 caps)
14 Ange CAPUOZZO (Stade Toulousain, 12 caps)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 26 caps)
12 Luca MORISI (svincolato, 47 caps)
11 Montanna IOANE (Lione, 21 caps)
10 Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 27 caps)
9 Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester Rugby, 21 caps)
8 Lorenzo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)
7 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 29 caps) – capitano
6 Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 48 caps)
5 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 45 caps)
4 Dino LAMB (Harlequins, 3 caps)
3 Simone FERRARI (Benetton Rugby, 47 caps)
2 Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 15 caps)
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 33 caps)

16 Epalahame FAIVA (svincolato, 7 caps)
17 Ivan NEMER (Benetton Rugby, 13 caps)
18 Marco RICCIONI (Saracens, 22 caps)
19 David SISI (Zebre Parma, 28 caps)
20 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 13 caps)
21 Martin PAGE-RELO (Lione, 2 caps)
22 Paolo ODOGWU (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
23 Pierre BRUNO (Zebre Parma, 13 caps)

[Hal Jordan]

Interesting for Lamb, he's gone from "Will he be good enough after injuries" for Quins to starting for Italy in the RWC. "Only" against Namibia, but that's a pretty strong Italy team first game up.

[sturginho]

Interesting for Lamb, he's gone from "Will he be good enough after injuries" for Quins to starting for Italy in the RWC. "Only" against Namibia, but that's a pretty strong Italy team first game up.

It's probably our best team minus Menoncello and Lucchesi. I'm not sure if Cannone Sr is injured or just being rested. Can't take any games for granted at a world cup and if we're to have any chance of getting out of the group we need to win the first two with bonus points so makes sense to put out the strongest team

[Paddington Bear]

My cock to block predictions:
- Scotland will produce an all time performance in the pools, but will fall just short in both big games.
- Italy will give one of NZ or France a fright
- Japan and Georgia will underwhelm
- Australia will make at least the semis and look alright in doing so
- Ireland are going out in the quarters
- England will not inspire but will be better than shite and are making the semis
- Tonga won’t take a scalp but will ruin a team’s world cup
- Boks go down to a red card in the semis
- France will prove overrated
- New Zealand will win, to quote the late great Alternative Rugby Commentary, ‘the whole fucken lot’

[Slick]

Has there been any previews or build up on any U.K. channels? Keep waiting for some but guess it’s not coming. Pretty piss poor really

[Guy Smiley]

Taiki...

[Kiwias]

Taiki...

Great to see Mehrts and Chabal at the end.

[_Os_]

Fuck it I cannot sleep. These are my pre-comp picks.


Pool A
New Zealand, France, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia
1st France (18)
2nd NZ (15)
3rd Italy (10)
4th Namibia (4)
5th Uruguay (1)

8 September, France v New Zealand : w France
9 September, Italy v Namibia : w Italy (BP)
14 September, France v Uruguay : w France (BP)
15 September, New Zealand v Namibia : w NZ (BP)
20 September, Italy v Uruguay : w Italy (BP)
21 September, France v Namibia : w France (BP)
27 September, Uruguay v Namibia : w Namibia, (Uruguay BP -7)
29 September, New Zealand v Italy : w NZ (BP)
5 October, New Zealand v Uruguay : w NZ (BP)
6 October, France v Italy : w France

Pool B
South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania
1st SA (18)
2nd Ireland (13)
3rd Scotland (11)
4th Tonga (5)
5th Romania (0)

9 September, Ireland v Romania : w Ireland (BP)
10 September, South Africa v Scotland : w SA
16 September, Ireland v Tonga : w Ireland
17 September, South Africa v Romania : w SA (BP)
23 September, South Africa v Ireland : w SA
24 September, Scotland v Tonga : w Scotland (BP)
30 September, Scotland v Romania : w Scotland (BP)
1 October, South Africa v Tonga : w SA (BP)
7 October, Ireland v Scotland : w Ireland (Scotland BP -7)
8 October, Tonga v Romania : w Tonga (BP)

Pool C
Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, Portugal
1st Wales (18)
2nd Fiji (16)
3rd Aus (12)
4th Georgia (5)
5th Portugal (0)

9 September, Australia v Georgia : w Australia, (Georgia BP -7)
10 September, Wales v Fiji : w Wales (BP), (Fiji BP 4t)
16 September, Wales v Portugal : w Wales (BP)
17 September, Australia v Fiji : w Fiji (BP), (Australia BP 4t, BP -7)
23 September, Georgia v Portugal : w Georgia
24 September, Wales v Australia : w Wales, (Australia BP -7)
30 September, Fiji v Georgia : w Fiji (BP)
1 October, Australia v Portugal : w Australia (BP)
7 October, Wales v Georgia : w Wales
8 October, Fiji v Portugal : w Fiji (BP)

Pool D
England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile
1st Arg (19)
2nd England (14)
3rd Samoa (9)
4th Japan (6)
5th Chile (0)

9 September, England v Argentina : w Argentina
10 September, Japan v Chile : w Japan (BP)
16 September, Samoa v Chile : w Samoa (BP)
17 September, England v Japan : w England (BP)
22 September, Argentina v Samoa : w Argentina (BP)
23 September, England v Chile : w England (BP)
28 September, Japan v Samoa : w Samoa, (Japan BP -7)
30 September, Argentina v Chile : w Argentina (BP)
7 October, England v Samoa : w England
8 October, Japan v Argentina : w Argentina (BP)

Quarter-finals
QF1 14 October, Wales v England : England
QF2 14 October, South Africa v New Zealand : SA

QF3 15 October, Argentina v Fiji : Argentina
QF4 15 October, France v Ireland : Ireland

Semi-finals
SF1 20 October, England v South Africa : SA
SF2 21 October, Argentina v Ireland : Ireland

Bronze final
27 October, England v Argentina : Argentina

Final
28 October, South Africa v Ireland : SA

[_Os_]

Some thoughts on all that...

Pool A: France and the ABs are quite similar for me, both physical and athletic with stacks of talent, both are going to take full advantage of any defencive lapse with ball in hand. I think France have a slight advantage in the halfbacks though, and that's the brain of a team. I also didn't like the ABs reaction to the Bok defeat, they took it far to well, more "lets take the positives" rather than "we're fucking mortified". France also have some weird thing for the ABs, some homoerotic impulse or something, for them the RWC seems to be more about beating the ABs than winning the cup. A potential banana skin is the France v Italy match, if France decide they've beaten the ABs and have won the RWC then Italy could beat them, unlikely but possible. Backing Namibia to get their first ever RWC win, should've happened last RWC but the Canada match was cancelled, Uruguay are probably a score better than them but it's close.

Pool B: The Boks have a good record against Scotland, Bok strengths map well to areas Scotland are weakest but Scottish strengths don't map as well to Bok weak points. Ireland is different I worry about their kicking game, but I do think the Boks get out of the pool. Ireland's warmup matches have been poor, Tonga are the weakest PI side but I can see a possibility of Ireland struggling a bit like they did against Samoa, bonus points could be crucial and Boks/Scotland look like stronger try scoring sides. Scotland have more of a chance against Ireland than against the Boks, I'm backing Ireland to have gone through some gears by then but the Scots could pick them off if they don't improve enough on the warmups.

5 teams per pool and this pool has 3 teams in the top 5 ffs.

Pool C: The best ever Fijian and Georgian sides, and definitely not the best ever Welsh and Aussie sides. Plus Portugal. The highest ranked team in this pool is Fiji in 7th. This pool is a joke.

The Wallabies bombing out in the pool stage is my big call. I just don't believe the Wallabies must always be rated because they're the Wallabies, they're not the All Blacks or the Springboks. They were poor in the Rugby Championship and Jones has selected a mad squad. Half the selected props have 5 or less caps, none of the hookers have more than 20 caps. Half the Wallabies squad are rookies that don't have 10 caps yet. If you look through the names asking yourself "do I fear this player" it's hard to get to 5 names, a lot of them are unknown to me. But it gets worse their last warmup was against Portugal, they won 30-17, conceding that many points to Portugal a side solidly in the group of the 5 weakest teams at the RWC, is terrible. But it gets worse still, in Super Rugby the Fijian Drua finished the league phase above the Reds/Force/Rebels and level with the Tahs, only the Brumbies were above them. The Fijian national side is the Drua with Fijians in Europe added. The Wallabies are taking a selection of players from 5 teams and attempting to make that into a single team at the RWC, whilst Fiji are selecting their Super Rugby side that's already better than most Aussie Super Rugby teams and strengthening it. Almost every Welsh starting forward will have at least around 50 caps, and their backline will have guns like Gareth Davies/Biggar/North/Josh Adams/Rees-Zammit/Halfpenny/Liam Williams.

There's a real risk the Wallabies find their inexperienced young pack isn't even capable of competitive Super Rugby standard. If they get beaten in the forwards then they struggle to get out of the pool, and discover every pool match is difficult.

Pool D: The Pumas are the dark horse of the RWC for me. They're a really good side, but for whatever reason aren't rated as a contender. It was only last year that they hammered the Wallabies then backed it up by beating the ABs in NZ in their next match. This year they beat the Wallabies in Aus, then only lost by 1 point to the Boks at Ellis park in their next match. For me easily the best side out of Pool C and D, and therefore a lock in for the semis. They have a decent chance of making it to the final, their route/results/squad mean they should be mentioned along with France/ABs/Boks/Ireland. The Pumas remind me a bit of the Boks in 2007, if England beat them it's a big win for the Poms, but the Pumas putting a marker down is more likely.

Knockouts: The peak is the quarters, after which we know who likely wins.

[dabooldawg]

It's here, it's here! It's finally fucking time!

Woohoo!!!

[ASMO]

Yep, absolutely pumped for the start of this, roll on tonight.

[Kiwias]

Kick off at 4:15AM tomorrow so I will get to bed earlier than usual and wake up for the match.

For all the doubts and frustration about Foster, they are my team so I will be cheering them on as much as possible.

[Sandstorm]

Yep, absolutely pumped for the start of this, roll on tonight.

+ 1000000

[Insane_Homer]

Yep, absolutely pumped for the start of this, roll on tonight.

It's finally here!!!

Trepidation & excitement in equal measure!

[Paddington Bear]

Get through work, bbq, watch the game. Here we go

[Sinkers]

2.30am kick off here. No on demand stream. It's like the f'ing dark ages and I'll be getting by mainly on replays :(

[Kiwias]

2.30am kick off here. No on demand stream. It's like the f'ing dark ages and I'll be getting by mainly on replays :(

Where are you for a 2:30AM kick off?

My friend suggests this link

https://www.vipbox.lc/rugby-live

[Gumboot]

7:15am here in Aotearoa.

[Sinkers]

2.30am kick off here. No on demand stream. It's like the f'ing dark ages and I'll be getting by mainly on replays :(

Where are you for a 2:30AM kick off?

My friend suggests this link

https://www.vipbox.lc/rugby-live

Singapore.
In general it means the afternoon matches are often at a very pleasant evening pub time here. But any evening matches I’ll probably need to pick up in the morning.

The local PPV who got the WC deal shows all games live but then only a few replays of each - no on demand

Thanks for the link - will come in very handy

Edit - ooops. 3.15am kick off. Looks like a long lead in and intro as the show starts at 2.30am

[Kiwias]

2.30am kick off here. No on demand stream. It's like the f'ing dark ages and I'll be getting by mainly on replays :(

Where are you for a 2:30AM kick off?

My friend suggests this link

https://www.vipbox.lc/rugby-live

Singapore.
In general it means the afternoon matches are often at a very pleasant evening pub time here. But any evening matches I’ll probably need to pick up in the morning.

The local PPV who got the WC deal shows all games live but then only a few replays of each - no on demand

Thanks for the link - will come in very handy

Edit - ooops. 3.15am kick off. Looks like a long lead in and intro as the show starts at 2.30am

Gotcha. J-Sports are showing all games live but with no on demand replays. I will be recording them to a hard drive so can watch at my leisure when I can't be arsed staying up/getting up for 1AM or 4AM starts.

[Sandstorm]

2.30am kick off here. No on demand stream. It's like the f'ing dark ages and I'll be getting by mainly on replays :(

VPN and connect to ITV stream from the UK? I can give you a UK Post Code if you need it...

[Gumboot]

If we don't win it, I sincerely hope the hosts do. They've been close a few times, and added so much to World Cup drama since the very first edition way back when, it almost feels like the stars are aligning for them this year. And this is such a quality side that if they make it all the way they'll no doubt do it in style. Tough on Ireland, but I suspect their lack of RWC finals pedigree will count against them big time.

[Sinkers]

2.30am kick off here. No on demand stream. It's like the f'ing dark ages and I'll be getting by mainly on replays :(

VPN and connect to ITV stream from the UK? I can give you a UK Post Code if you need it...

Thanks for the thought. Still got a house in the UK if I need to use a post code.
Recon it’ll be ok - just the NH evening time games (ie opening game) that are a bit of a pain.

[Insane_Homer]

Handy Google & iCAL Calendar Linkies
https://www.mikeriversdale.co.nz/rugby-calendar

The official WCR Outlook one is farkin shyte