World Rugby - 2023 Thread

[Loy Toy]

I hope the Aussies don't embarrass themselves and put up a good showing.

With a hell of a lotta luck they should make the semis.

[Norton]

I hope the Aussies don't embarrass themselves and put up a good showing.

With a hell of a lotta luck they should make the semis.

Will need to improve quite a bit given what I saw in Bledislo Cup.

[harrybarracuda]

So why are you bothering to post on this thread then? It wasn’t pushed down your throat

That's what multinic wankers do.

[Loy Toy]

Will need to improve quite a bit given what I saw in Bledislo Cup.

They should have won the second game mate.

APART FROM A FEW KEY PLAYERS I THINK THEY MAINLY LACK CONFIDENCE.

[Bettyboo]

I suspect that the Convicts will build into the World Cup and be a threat in their semi final (especially if they play the Kiwis).

Argentina could make the Semis, but doubt they'll go further.

Wales look very average and lack depth; the game against Fiji could stop them from getting out of the pool? But, they will not make it beyond the semis for sure.

Ireland look less good than I'd thought, might not make the semis due to their difficult half of the draw.

I don't see Farrel or Billy V as any loss to a very average English team with little chance. But, good depth (of pretty good players) could click and become threatening; might be a very good bet (if the odds are big enough) to make the semis or even the final.

Kiwis - looking good; could go all the way.

Bokkes - looking good; could go all the way.

France - looking good; could go all the way.

Scotland - looking good, could easily cause an upset, and I wouldn't be surprised if they beat Ireland and/or made it out of the group or even to the semis. If they were on the other side of the draw instead of England or Wales then they'd have a great chance of getting to the semis (they seem better than England and Wales at the moment, imho).

The Semis will be: Kiwis, France, Australia and England.

The final will be: Australia v England.

The winner will be England.




You are welcome...

[happynz]

The Semis will be: Kiwis, France, Australia and England.

The final will be: Australia v England.

The winner will be England.

Do you see both the Bokke and Ireland getting knocked out in the quarterfinals? Quite the claim. 555

It's a safe bet that the ABs will feature in the semifinals and probably the finals (taunting the mocker gods, but oh well).

Random thought...interesting that South America has three teams in the RWC, but North America has none.

[Bettyboo]

I'm being optimistic, hoping the Bokkes play the Kiwis early, and the Bokkes go home... Then a tired battered and bruised Kiwis play a Convict team with something to prove and up for the game. On the other side, if the French poop their pants at home, and England get through then it's an easy victory for us in the final... - possible.

If my predictions are wrong, I wouldn't be surprised.

[Troy]

^ I think betty has just killed any hope England might have had. France will be in the running, but that's it from the Northern hemisphere.

[malmomike77]

Wales look very average and lack depth; the game against Fiji could stop them from getting out of the pool? But, they will not make it beyond the semis for sure.

Wales are a mess atm both domestically and their national team - won't make it out of the pool

[happynz]

Wales are a mess atm both domestically and their national team - won't make it out of the pool

Pool C

Wales
Australia
Fiji
Georgia
Portugal

Wales may get pipped by Fiji. There's an outside chance that Georgia could get to the quarters. Didn't Georgia beat Wales only last Fall?

[malmomike77]

Didn't Georgia beat Wales only last Fall?

They did, and we lost to Italy too and its fair to say 2022 was a low point in the over 50 years of supporting them - thanks for reminding me

[DrWilly]

The Semis will be: Kiwis, France, Australia and England.

The final will be: Australia v England.

The winner will be England.

Red incoming

[happynz]

Pool A

ABs
France
Italy
Uruguay
Namibia

No guesses for who goes to the quarterfinals. Only question, who goes in undefeated?

Pool B

Bokke
Ireland
Scotland
Tonga
Romania

Scotland in with a chance, albeit beating both the Bokke and Irish would be tough. Tonga v Romania has the potential to be a good match.

Pool C

Mentioned already. The Welsh are in for a tough time getting to the quarterfinals.

Pool D

England
Japan
Argentina
Samoa
Chile

At first glance it looks like Argentina and England, but either team could get tipped over by Japan.

[Bob Mason]

So why are you bothering to post on this thread then? It wasn’t pushed down your throat

One does not have to be an animal in a cage to visit a zoo.

[happynz]

Pool C

Wales
Australia
Fiji
Georgia
Portugal

Australia should come out on top in Pool C. However, strange things can happen. Remember Japan's amazing wins over South Africa in 2015 and Ireland in 2019? Perhaps Fiji and/or Georgia could do the same to Australia.

[Norton]

Remember Japan's amazing wins over South Africa in 2015 and Ireland in 2019?

Sure do. A shocker!

[harrybarracuda]

Trouble viewing this email? Click here to view in browser. Independent Disciplinary Appeal Update: Owen Farrell (England) Following an initial Disciplinary Committee hearing for England number 10 Owen Farrell, who received a red card during the Summer Nations Series match between England and Wales on Saturday 12th August, World Rugby lodged a formal appeal against the Committees’ decision to downgrade the red card to a yellow, appealing for the red card to be upheld. The Appeal Committee met on Tuesday 22nd August and unanimously determined that in the original hearing the Disciplinary Committee should have considered the attempt of the player to wrap his opponent in the tackle. This point did not feature in the original decision. The failure to attempt to wrap was judged to be an important element of the Foul Play Review Officer’s (FPRO) report and had led to an upgrading of the referee’s yellow card to a red card during the match. As this element did not feature in the original decision, the Appeal Committee decided it was in the interests of justice to hear the case afresh on that key point alone, which included hearing from the player. Following the review by the Appeal Committee of this key element, it was determined that the FPRO was correct in his decision leading to the red card. The Appeal Committee subsequently determined that the tackle was ‘always illegal’. When applying the terms of World Rugby’s Head Contact Process, no mitigation can be applied to a tackle that is ‘always illegal’. The Appeal Committee therefore considered that the Disciplinary Committee’s decision to downgrade the red card to a yellow card had been manifestly wrong, which led to the Disciplinary Committee’s decision being overturned, the appeal brought by World Rugby being allowed, and the red card upheld. In considering sanction, the Committee applied World Rugby’s mandatory minimum mid-range entry point for foul play resulting in contact with the head (six-matches). Taking all considerations into account, including the player’s acceptance of foul play, clear demonstration of remorse and his good character, the Committee agreed a four-match suspension. The Appeal Committee accepted submissions on behalf of the player that the Ireland v England match on 19 August 2023, for which the player was voluntarily stood down would be included as part of the sanction. Therefore, the suspension applies to the following matches: Ireland v England 19 August 2023 England v Fiji 26 August 2023 England v Argentina 9 September 2023 England v Japan 17 September 2023

[harrybarracuda]

Vunipola misses Argentina and Japan games.

[DrWilly]

Does miss much. But at least the red card stands.

[happynz]

ABs v South Africa RWC warm up match.

0130 Thailand time
0630 NZST
0430 AEST

[harrybarracuda]

England have lost Watson for the whole tournament through injury.

[happynz]

ABs getting smashed at Twickenham.

[happynz]

South Africa spanks the ABs 35-7.

At least the ABs dodged getting a bagel.

Bokke dominant all 80 minutes.

[Loy Toy]

35 Saffers V 7 All Blacks who had a player sent off.

[PlanK]

Scott Barrett imploded like a submersible and took the ABs down with him.

Contest was over by half-time, wasn't worth watching the rest of the game.