Rugby World Cup 2019
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
- Start date
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
Aren't the kids from that nation (ie. why they know the anthem)? I know there was that competition for Aussie kids to win a chance to walk out onto the field with the team so pretty sure that all the kids that have walked out with our boys are from oz. I'm sure they were probably told how things would proceed, including the singing of the anthem. I do agree the ones ultimately selected have been good.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
I read this somewhere else and agree, we should go back to the original format and have 5 pools of 4 team. Also a plate tournament the remaining sides.
Tier 2 sides need more games to improve, its that simple. Fiji were growing by the day, imagine if they had the preparation Japan did. Sad to see Samoa/Tonga going backwards. Georgia will blow past them by next World Cup, great juniors coming through. Uruguay also seem to be getting their act together.
Tier 2 sides need more games to improve, its that simple. Fiji were growing by the day, imagine if they had the preparation Japan did. Sad to see Samoa/Tonga going backwards. Georgia will blow past them by next World Cup, great juniors coming through. Uruguay also seem to be getting their act together.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
I think in some cases they are molman , but in most cases kids seem to be of Asian (Japanese appearance) and that was what I noticed, I think in a Georgia test, plus Samoan , All Blacks &,Tonga & Ireland . I haven't watched all Anthems by any stretch of the imagination, but the ones I did see this happening really impressed me.
Omar Comin'
Chilla Wilson (44)
I'm more in favour of expanding to 24 teams with 6 pools of 4 and a round of 16 (top 2 in each pool, plus the 4 best 3rd place finishers).
It would eliminate the short, unfair turnarounds between matches and add more knockout games, plus help rugby grow in new markets. There'd be more 'minnow' teams, but they'd only play 3 matches, and I think with the right investments from World Rugby those extra 4 teams should be at least as competitive as the likes of Canada and Russia were in this tournament. Spain and Romania are already stronger than those teams, while the likes of Portugal, Brazil, Germany and Hong Kong are not far off. With the new South American professional league, MLR, GRR and other potential professional competitions starting in the next couple of years there will be a lot of development at the tier 2 and 3 levels.
The other thing you'd want for a 24 team tournament is more teams capable of reaching the quarter finals. I think that list currently includes 12 teams (6 Nations and RC teams plus Fiji and Japan). Ideally you'd have a few more than that so the round of 16 was more uncertain. I think by 2027, and possibly earlier the USA will probably be on that list. Georgia may be another one given their strength at u-20 level in the past few years. Samoa and Tonga have been on that list in the past and could be again with the right investments, development and regulations.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
Good post, I am open to all thoughts and think we are in a great development phase for world rugby but just want to see a) continued development from Canada, US, Tonga, Samoa, Namibia etc b) expansion and serious improvements in developing rugby nations such as Brazil, Spain, Germany etc.
I am confident that Japan, Uruguay & Georgia have the framework now to continue their development trajectories towards tier 1.
I am confident that Japan, Uruguay & Georgia have the framework now to continue their development trajectories towards tier 1.
Omar Comin'
Chilla Wilson (44)
I think we can include Japan in tier 1 now. Georgia and especially Uruguay probably need to boost their playing numbers to get there. Georgia have great resources and a wealthy benefactor so they seem more likely to get to tier 1 level to me. Uruguay only have something like 6,000 registered players. Their 2 new professional teams will obviously help, but I also wouldn't be surprised if Brazil, Chile and maybe Colombia pass them in the next decade or so.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
Maybe, and I can see your logic, Brazil seems like a potential sleeping giant. However don’t discount how long Uruguay have been playing rugby, similar to Japan, the foundation is firmly set regardless of top end, professional output.
Omar Comin'
Chilla Wilson (44)
On that front I think Portugal and Spain have a lot of potential due to the strength of their juniors over a number of years. Portugal's u-20's have finished 2nd, 3rd and 2nd in the last 3 World Rugby Trophy's u-20's. If those players had professional opportunities the Portuguese test team would be at a good level pretty quickly.
molman
Jim Lenehan (48)
As you said earlier, could just be really good attention to detail from the organisers in prepping the kids. Would not surprise me in a Japanese hosted event. As you said, it's a nice touch.
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
Japanese rugby has been built on the back of the pacific islands and their players. To some extent, every team in Tier 1 (except maybe SA?) has been keen and eager to snap up Polynesian talent when available. I hope that we see some kind of re-balance happening for future world cups.
Good to see NZR acknowledging the discrimination that these amazing rugby nations face.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2019/news/article.cfm?c_id=1504739&objectid=12276858
Jimmy_Crouch
Peter Johnson (47)
Bit rich for NZRU to be claiming the high ground. Basically they are saying after we have milked them and they aren't going to be selected for NZ maybe they should be allowed to go elsewhere.
It strengthens the path towards the NZ jersey for star young players rather than the Tongan, Samoan or Fijian one.
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
Milked them?
The ABs have one of the lowest number of players born outside of the country representing them at just 4. The case could be made that the Islands have 'milked' NZ with the bulk of the Samoan and Tongan teams born in Aotearoa. But that would be silly.
NZ's contribution to the global game in terms of players, player development, coaches etc is huge. And we are still pushing for more equity for our Pacific brothers. The NH is the main hurdle it seems. The island nations have shown in the past that they have the talent and ability to compete against the likes of pretty much any of 6N teams even with the little that they have had.
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Bobby Sands
Guest
Milked them?
The ABs have one of the lowest number of players born outside of the country representing them at just 4. The case could be made that the Islands have 'milked' NZ with the bulk of the Samoan and Tongan teams born in Aotearoa. But that would be silly.
NZ's contribution to the global game in terms of players, player development, coaches etc is huge. And we are still pushing for more equity for our Pacific brothers. The NH is the main hurdle it seems. The island nations have shown in the past that they have the talent and ability to compete against the likes of pretty much any of 6N teams even with the little that they have had.
Oh wow - we’re going to go here?
Kiwis already preparing to lose or something?
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
You can go where ever you like but this has nothing to do with whether the ABs win this RWC or not.
Dan54
David Wilson (68)
One of the main problems with that post JC is if you actually read what Impey said, is that NZ AND Australia are trying to free it up so they can have secondary teams, and as Wallabies so why is it NZ only being rich?? I actually not sure I like the idea , although I can see the upside of it for perhaps the Islands etc, it kind of cheapens test status. Perhaps it can be for players that are born there? But just because your Grandad or Grandma was born in Islands you shouldn't get too many dispensations. Do we let Wallaby or AB players that have finished go and play for Scotland etc if they have grandparents from there? And lets face it they barely above 2nd tier
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
One of the main problems with that post JC is if you actually read what Impey said, is that NZ AND Australia are trying to free it up so they can have secondary teams, and as Wallabies so why is it NZ only being rich?? I actually not sure I like the idea , although I can see the upside of it for perhaps the Islands etc, it kind of cheapens test status. Perhaps it can be for players that are born there? But just because your Grandad or Grandma was born in Islands you shouldn't get too many dispensations. Do we let Wallaby or AB players that have finished go and play for Scotland etc if they have grandparents from there? And lets face it they barely above 2nd tier
I think Scotland could be classed as Tier 1 based on the competitions they are involved in and the money they have. Imagine if Manu Samoa had those same resources even with the players they had this RWC.
When a guy like Jack Lam had to basically give up his contract so that he could represent his country at the highest level, on the biggest stage, there is something wrong with the way rugby is being done.
Strewthcobber
Simon Poidevin (60)
Don't we do the same thing to the likes of Skelton, McMahon etc?
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Bobby Sands
Guest
The kiwis have straight up exploited, pillaged and warehoused PI players since before even professionalism started. Strange topic for kiwis to be pius about.
An old joke, and forgive me if not allowed, but it goes: kiwis love their country, they will do absolutely anything for it, except live there.