Rugby World Cup 2023
- Thread starter Braveheart81
- Start date
Tomthumb
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Yes, in 2011. Wales, France and Australia had all finished 2nd in their group with a loss (France had lost 2 games)
KevinO
Geoff Shaw (53)
Still disappointed after last weekend, can't really fault the Irish. NZ played amazing.
But sick of the whole NH v SH crap, especially regarding ref selections. They are all professionals and doing there job to the best of there ability.
My question for peoples thoughts, does the timing of the RWC being the end of the SH season and straight after the rugby championship help the SH? The NH season has been over for a few months and teams are in more of a preseason mode heading into the tournament. I personally don't think it really makes much of a difference, but would like to know what others think?
But sick of the whole NH v SH crap, especially regarding ref selections. They are all professionals and doing there job to the best of there ability.
My question for peoples thoughts, does the timing of the RWC being the end of the SH season and straight after the rugby championship help the SH? The NH season has been over for a few months and teams are in more of a preseason mode heading into the tournament. I personally don't think it really makes much of a difference, but would like to know what others think?
Bullrush
Geoff Shaw (53)
Interesting question and I think there are probably pros and cons both ways. It would be a good question to put to some of the ex-players and coaches etc who have these podcasts and youtube channels etc.
Wallaby Man
Nev Cottrell (35)
No because Ireland was about 8-10 games deep into their season by the time they played NZ last week.
Each team had numerous warm up games and 4 group games.
Plus we are consistently hearing at the end of season tours both by SH and NH teams that they aren’t at peak performance.
Kevin77
Fred Wood (13)
Can't say how much I've enjoyed watching Fiji, Samoa, Chile, Uruguay, Portugal and Georgia. They've played with unbridled joy and the best intentions to entertain their supporters, even though they knew they wouldn't advance out of their pools, apart from Fiji. But, after the sublime skills shown in the Ireland/New Zealand and France/South Africa respective QFs, what a shitshow England put up yesterday morning! It's enough to put people off rugby for life.
Yeah I’m hearing that a bit. To be honest, I loved it. Thought it was brutal. The way England put the Boks off their game for the first hour or so, particularly where England have been this last year or so, was amazing. They were huge in defence. I haven’t seen that Bok pack smashed like that for years. Itoje, Lawes and Martin were huge. While Mitchell and Steward will perfect in executing their respective skills.
and then the balls of the Bok coaches to make the changes they did. It helps when you have players like Faf, Pollard, Le Roux, Smith, Snyman et al on the bench.
I’m fascinated by how the Boks are playing these days. It started with the Bomb squad, then this tournament we’ve seen 4 scrum halves in a match day squad. We’ve had the 7-1 bench. And now last night. I don’t like Rassie but I begrudgingly accept he and his team are borderline revolutionising the game.
I thought it was a fascinating contest with England so brave and the Boks just resilient to the end.
personally I think their mental strength will be enough to get them across the line next week.
and then the balls of the Bok coaches to make the changes they did. It helps when you have players like Faf, Pollard, Le Roux, Smith, Snyman et al on the bench.
I’m fascinated by how the Boks are playing these days. It started with the Bomb squad, then this tournament we’ve seen 4 scrum halves in a match day squad. We’ve had the 7-1 bench. And now last night. I don’t like Rassie but I begrudgingly accept he and his team are borderline revolutionising the game.
I thought it was a fascinating contest with England so brave and the Boks just resilient to the end.
personally I think their mental strength will be enough to get them across the line next week.
Doritos Day
Johnnie Wallace (23)
It was an awful game but it's the coaches jobs to win by any means necessary. Which is of course why they should be nowhere near making/changing laws.
Australia's downfall for a long time has been trying to play with a level of 'attractiveness' because of competition from other codes and a general perception that they're 'supposed' to play a certain way. You'll never seen a Wallabies team kick 50 times even if that is the best way to achieve results w the available personnel.
England played a pragmatic game that suited the conditions, opposition and their players' ability. South Africa have minmaxed for almost 2 WC cycles.
Australia's downfall for a long time has been trying to play with a level of 'attractiveness' because of competition from other codes and a general perception that they're 'supposed' to play a certain way. You'll never seen a Wallabies team kick 50 times even if that is the best way to achieve results w the available personnel.
England played a pragmatic game that suited the conditions, opposition and their players' ability. South Africa have minmaxed for almost 2 WC cycles.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
eastman
John Solomon (38)
I genuinely hope that regardless of personnel, the Wallabies never play the way that England and the Springboks do.
HogansHeros
Dave Cowper (27)
Even if it puts you in a World Cup GF? I'd rather us be competitive...
Is that the first time you’ve watched those teams play? You know it’s not their standard MO?
The Ghost of Raelene
David Codey (61)
Yeah, most knew what was coming.
We dreamed of it being more like the last final.
We dreamed of it being more like the last final.
PhilClinton
Mark Loane (55)
To be fair, outside the 40 point thrashing they gave the Wallabies in 2019 QF, I believe England have only scored 5 tries across their 12 games in the 2003 - 2023 knockout stages.
Obviously the games at that stage of the tournament are supposed to be hard though so it’s not exactly an accurate reflection and they just happen to be really good at kickings goals so why not.
Obviously the games at that stage of the tournament are supposed to be hard though so it’s not exactly an accurate reflection and they just happen to be really good at kickings goals so why not.
Wasn't sure where to put this, but I thought they made some good points
(I also was amused about the description of the Boks and Poms as good "tax accountants being to find that loop hole" )
(I also was amused about the description of the Boks and Poms as good "tax accountants being to find that loop hole" )
HogansHeros
Dave Cowper (27)
Had never thought of it this way. Certainly an interesting take, a lot of validity.
noscrumnolife
Bill Watson (15)
In some respects I agree. My general thoughts on how scrums should be refereed is just a few more short-arm penalties in the place of multiple resets.
In total though, I prefer Raiwalui's take :
Rugby is a brilliant game because of the manner of ways it can be played. Preferencing one over the other is not World Rugby's place IMO. The fact that Ox Nche can be the most influential player on the pitch in a World Cup semi-final is pretty awesome.
Matt Williams could really bore off however. He's got such a problem with South African rugby, really seems to take their way of playing personally and its very tiring.
In total though, I prefer Raiwalui's take :
Rugby is a brilliant game because of the manner of ways it can be played. Preferencing one over the other is not World Rugby's place IMO. The fact that Ox Nche can be the most influential player on the pitch in a World Cup semi-final is pretty awesome.
Matt Williams could really bore off however. He's got such a problem with South African rugby, really seems to take their way of playing personally and its very tiring.
