World Rugby - 2023 Thread

[malmomike77]

Yes, but they're playing the convicts.

Indeed, didn't see that coming but I still maintain Wales are very ordinary, they just lucked out meeting the worst Aus side in the last 50 years coached by a bloke who couldn't line up a team on a subutio table.

[Little Chuchok]

That's very true. Good to see some interesting games coming up...

Kiwis v Ireland on neutral turf could be a cracking game. Ireland look more in-form, but you can never write off the Kiwis.

Listen to this, Betts. Explains why Aussie are shit right now and why Ireland are no 1

This is proper analytics

[PlanK]

Oh, well. Now I have to find another team on the otter side of the draw to support. I'm not big on jumping on the 'blame the coach' bandwagon but in this case it's not unwarranted.

But, in that Aus v Wales game, I saw Williams, I saw Davies, I saw Thomas, but I didn't see any Joneses. What happened? Are the Joneses not keeping up with the, erm... Joneses?


PlanK, asking the real questions.

[malmomike77]

Dark days, not a single Jones in the team

Answered earlier in the thread

[harrybarracuda]

Indeed, didn't see that coming but I still maintain Wales are very ordinary, they just lucked out meeting the worst Aus side in the last 50 years coached by a bloke who couldn't line up a team on a subutio table.

You can maintain what you like, it was fate.

[DrWilly]

Bit of a rough time for Aussie sport.

Thrashed in the Rugby, thrashed in the Cricket...

Can they wheel out a tennis player for a Brit to maul?

The silver lining is that Aussie Rugby has not yet hit rock bottom…






we play Portugal next…

[harrybarracuda]

The silver lining is that Aussie Rugby has not yet hit rock bottom…






we play Portugal next…

That's the spirit Willy!

Now come and talk about the cricket team.

[Bettyboo]

There's a lot of arrogance going on by the Bokkes and Irish. I've seen several ex-players and experts saying their recent game was so good that they expect to play each other again in the final. I can't see it. Ireland rarely/never get far in a WC, and this Bokke team are really just bullies with many limitations, imho. I'd love to see the French and Kiwis role them over.

Also, I don't think the other side of the draw are as crap as the Irish and Bokkes are claiming... England are growing into it and could be a force in the later stages. Fiji can beat any team in this WC on their day. Writing off Wales, even though they don't seem strong, atm, is a mistake - they can roll any team over if theu keep injury free.

[harrybarracuda]

There's a lot of arrogance going on by the Bokkes and Irish. I've seen several ex-players and experts saying their recent game was so good that they expect to play each other again in the final. I can't see it. Ireland rarely/never get far in a WC, and this Bokke team are really just bullies with many limitations, imho. I'd love to see the French and Kiwis role them over.

Also, I don't think the other side of the draw are as crap as the Irish and Bokkes are claiming... England are growing into it and could be a force in the later stages. Fiji can beat any team in this WC on their day. Writing off Wales, even though they don't seem strong, atm, is a mistake - they can roll any team over if theu keep injury free.

So you don't fancy the home team then.

[Bettyboo]

Listen to this, Betts. Explains why Aussie are shit right now and why Ireland are no 1

This is proper analytics

Meh... Not sure about that stuff. An Aussie front row trying to have an intelligent conversation is problematic. Some of the things he says are right: you need to keep a consistent team style and players for 18 months before the WC to win it. But, in other areas such as the Bokkes beating one of the best teams ever by poisoning them, or 2007 the Bokkes winning against a crap and changing England team with no structure or consistency, but the Bokkes only won through terrible reffing. Ideas like Scotland have a better chance of winning this WC then England is just dumb - Scotland have a better starting line up and style for a one off game, but there's no way they have the depth to go as far as England in this WC. The Kiwis are all over the shop, but their history alone could bring them together to win this WC. Saying DuPoint isn't the best French 9 is just dumb. Numbers/analytics are part of top class rugby, but he said it's 80% and player talent only 3% - total bollox.

A strong team of talented players that stick together for 18 months, and have the depth to deal with injuries who then start slowly and build into a world cup is exactly where you need to be to win a WC, imho. I don't know the depth of Fiji, but if it's good then they're dangerous. Ireland only have a chance because they have built a lot of depth (in part through bringing in foreign players). France have great depth, and will probably win the WC. The Bokkes have depth, but they're on the downward slope and are predictable. The Kiwis and England are the only other teams with enough depth to win the WC.

[Switch]

There's a lot of arrogance going on by the Bokkes and Irish. I've seen several ex-players and experts saying their recent game was so good that they expect to play each other again in the final. I can't see it. Ireland rarely/never get far in a WC, and this Bokke team are really just bullies with many limitations, imho. I'd love to see the French and Kiwis role them over.

Also, I don't think the other side of the draw are as crap as the Irish and Bokkes are claiming... England are growing into it and could be a force in the later stages. Fiji can beat any team in this WC on their day. Writing off Wales, even though they don't seem strong, atm, is a mistake - they can roll any team over if theu keep injury free.

At a casual glance, it’s easy to see the final pairing coming from the Saffers, the Irish or the French.

A few other sides might make a nonsense of that. Kiwi Fiji and England hoping for the best?

I can only see England making any progress if Borthwick takes the shackles off, and he is obliged to be more adventurous.

The side is dominated by the availability of players in key positions like Ford and Care. The Borthwick Farrell love in goes on regardless.

Completely unrelated, but I hope Danny Care has a great WC. As honest a player as you could hope for in his final WC.

Does Borthwick have the balls to play Smith as replacement full back? The Ford Farrell axis is untouchable for this manager.

Borthwick thinking is much too rigid.

[Bettyboo]

So you don't fancy the home team then.

France are favourites in my book.

England (who are crap, but building, and have the time to build on their side of the draw), Kiwis (who are crap, but they are the Kiwis...) and Ireland would be next in line.

[Pragmatic]

I think S Africa was robbed against Ireland. Irish number 4 was clearly off-side in the last maul of the game right in front of the ref. Number 4 made no attempt to get back onside.

[happynz]

Still some tasty upcoming pool games.

Samoa v Japan looks like it could be entertaining. A good proportion of the Japanese side are Pacific Islanders. Samoa has some pretty good Super Rugby players in their lineup. A must win for both teams.

All Blacks may put up a huge total against the Italians, but with Foster in charge, Italy may have a famous win.

Argentina will be looking to put major points up against Chile and to squeeze into the quarterfinals with a bonus point win over Japan.

Could Samoa tip over the Englanders? It would cause a huge celebration in not only Samoa, but in AoNZ as well.

[Bettyboo]

Samoa could well beat Japan (should be a close game), but I doubt Argentina will lose to Japan. Argentina will have a right handful with Wales in the quarterfinal though!

The most interesting thing about England v Samoa is which team will put in the worst tackles... Losing against Samoa probably won't be an issue, as I'm not sure whether playing Wales or Fiji is the more difficult game - really depends upon which of the two has more important injury problems, imho.

Kiwis would have to be pretty poor to lose to Italy; can't see it happening.

I wonder if Tonga can put a few injuries on the Bokkes? If they took out the scrum half then the Bokkes would be f'kd.

Scotland could be a very difficult game for Ireland?

[happynz]

The most interesting thing about England v Samoa is which team will put in the worst tackles... Losing against Samoa probably won't be an issue

Red cards and ensuing bans could be a problem. I bet England will play a conservative frustrate the opposition, get the penalty, kick for a half-dozen or more threes, sort of match.

[PlanK]

The media are talking up the chances of Italy sending the ABs back home early on the same plane as the Aussies.

There's a lot of arrogance going on by the Bokkes and Irish.

Both teams had glaring inadequatenesses. The continuing close score-line made it interesting.

[happynz]

Next match is Uruguay v Namibia.

Uruguay played better than expected against France. Namibia is looking a bit gassed and have lost their captain to injury. I reckon Los Teros to beat Namibia by a couple of tries and a penalty or two.

[Bettyboo]

Red cards and ensuing bans could be a problem. I bet England will play a conservative frustrate the opposition, get the penalty, kick for a half-dozen or more threes, sort of match.

Just like the Crusaders; classic rugby... (What's a few red cards to us? We've got as many average players in reserve as we do in our starting line up. )

New Zealand will easily beat Italy and probably start showing some form; they're still in with a real chance of winning the tournament.

[Troy]

^^ Good call...ended 36 - 26 with Uruguay coming from behind in the second half.

[DrWilly]

They got a fright in the first half, though. That first try was amazing

[happynz]

Samoa v Japan tomorrow morning 0800 NZST.

I really have no idea who’s favourite for this one.

I hope it’s a good game.

[dirk diggler]

What odds do I get for Scotland beating Romania on Saturday night?

[harrybarracuda]

What odds do I get for Scotland beating Romania on Saturday night?

So small that it probably isn't even worth betting.

[Bettyboo]

Romania are shipping a lot of points this WC - they have some good players and performances, but haven't really meshed as a team. Scotland will put 50 points on the, so maybe a points score bet would be a better option, Dirk?

Remember, Scotland will still be thinking that if they beat Ireland then they might get through, but they will need a very big point score against Romania, and hope the Bokkes don't score too many against Tonga. You might need a bonus point win against Ireland too - tough ask, but I hope Ireland put out a much weakened team against Scotland...