World Rugby - 2023 Thread

[happynz]

Well, Aussie has to get out of pool play first.

[DrWilly]

[PlanK]

Oirish lineout sucked, Saffa kicking sucked, it kinda evened out.

Highlight of the game: "Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs."

[harrybarracuda]

England cruised to victory in another meaningless pool match without a red card or a tournament-ending injury, which is probably the primary target of all the decent teams at this point.

[happynz]

Coming up…

Scotland v Tonga Scotland

Wales v Australia Australia

[harrybarracuda]

Coming up…

Scotland v Tonga Scotland

Wales v Australia Australia

So when the Welsh beat the convicts, are they out?

[happynz]

Wales has Australia and Georgia.

Australia has Wales and Portugal.

Fiji has to play Georgia and Portugal.

Table currently…
Wales 10
Fiji 6
Australia 6
Georgia 2
Portugal 2

If Australia and Fiji win their last two with bonus points, bye bye Wales even if Wales smashes Georgia.

[harrybarracuda]

Wales has Australia and Georgia.

Australia has Wales and Portugal.

Fiji has to play Georgia and Portugal.

Table currently…
Wales 10
Fiji 6
Australia 6
Georgia 2
Portugal 2

If Australia and Fiji win their last two with bonus points, bye bye Wales even if Wales smashes Georgia.

So when the Welsh beat the convicts, are they out?

[happynz]

Yep. That’s the end of their campaign unless Fiji folds against Georgia and Portugal.

[malmomike77]

So when the Welsh beat the convicts, are they out?

They won't - sadly we are the worst team i've seen from Wales in decades

[harrybarracuda]

They won't - sadly we are the worst team i've seen from Wales in decades

Yes, but they're playing the convicts.

[Bettyboo]

Maybe Fiji to win the group then (if Australia beat Wales)?

Wales v Australia could go either way; both are far from their best, but capable of putting in a good performance. Wales could easily top the group.

But Australia are in the worst position due to bonus points - they need to stop Wales getting any bonus points (unlikely). I could see Fiji getting full bonus points in their final two games... If Fiji win the group and play Argentina then they'll very likely be in the semis - which'd be great. England are starting to pick up, and Wales/Australia will need to avoid picking up many injuries if they're to beat England in the quarterfinals (I think our front 3 are a bit lacking against the very best teams (Bokke), our pack will struggle a tad against the very best packs (France and Ireland), and our backs will struggle a tad against the best backlines (France and Ireland). But, we're improving into the tournament.

Ireland, if they don't pick up any injuries, will be a tough ask for the current Kiwi team (I wouldn't write the Kiwis off though). France will comfortably beat the Bokkes.

[Troy]

^ Over thinking a bit here betty, let's wait and see how Wales do against the Wallabies first...

Meanwhile, Scotland overcome an early scare to lead Tonga 24-10 at half time

[DrWilly]

Not a great start.


HT Wales 16 - Aus 6

But how about this?

Eddie Jones bombshell hangs over Wallabies
He’s contracted on a five-year deal through to the home 2027 World Cup, but Eddie Jones has been revealed as having taken secret job interviews with rival nations during the middle of Australia’s Rugby World Cup preparations.
Just days before the Wallabies began their campaign in France, the Sydney Morning Herald reports Jones took part in a Zoom interview with Japanese rugby officials on August 25, dialling in from Paris two days ahead of Australia’s eventual 41-17 demolition by France.
Jones has a 1-6 record since returning to the helm of the national side, the sole win coming against 13th-ranked Georgia to kickstart the Wallabies’ World Cup group stage.
More Coverage

Coach‘s secret job interview rocks Wallabies
Wallabies rookie axed in World Cup cull

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh told the Sydney Morning Herald that Jones claimed there was “nothing in” the reports, which have also been replicated in Japanese media.
“I take people at their word and Eddie’s said there’s nothing in it,” Waugh said.
“So, as far as I’m concerned, that’s the end of the story and everyone’s focus is on this weekend’s crucial game against Wales.”

https://www.news.com.au/sport/rugby/wallabies-vs-wales-live-eddie-jones-bombshell-hangs-over-must-win-world-cup-clash/news-story/a949237a0ed9888ca4009ffabb3ebabe

[happynz]

Three quarters gone and Australia, and barring a miracle, the Wallabies aren't going to the quarterfinals.

[DrWilly]

40-6

What a disaster.

[happynz]

Firing Rennie and going with Jones...what's up Rugby Australia?

[Bettyboo]

That was a bit of a slaughtering, and Wales coming into form will blow away Argentina.

I'd rather not face Fiji, but we'll beat them.

France will roll over the Bokkes.

Ireland playing well will be tough for the Kiwis.

Wasn't somebody saying a few pages back that this will be a SH dominated WC? Maybe Fiji are the SH's best chance to reach the semis?

(Anything could happen, but you'd fancy Wales and France getting through, and the other two games will be very tough for SH teams.)

Semis: England v Ireland & Wales v France.

(I'm talking somewhat in jest, but only somewhat...)

[happynz]

Japan v Samoa now is beyond minnow v minnow.

[happynz]

Argentina

Second place in Pool D is up for grabs. Argentina, Japan, and Samoa all have a crack at it.

[cyrille]

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?

[harrybarracuda]

It was foretold by the Gods...

So when the Welsh beat the convicts, are they out?

[harrybarracuda]

Oh dear.

...the second half was a disaster for Jones' side - the Wallabies head coach booed heavily in the stadium each time he appeared on the big screens - as they were second best to near enough everything.

He’s contracted on a five-year deal through to the home 2027 World Cup, but Eddie Jones has been revealed as having taken secret job interviews with rival nations during the middle of Australia’s Rugby World Cup preparations.

Who's going to hire him? Are they mad?



Still, he did say:

So, we win the World Cup, it will be time to go. If we lose the World Cup, it will be time to go.”

[Bettyboo]

Second place in Pool D is up for grabs. Argentina, Japan, and Samoa all have a crack at it.

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.

[happynz]

New Zealand needs to get past Italy. They should, but with Foster in charge...